Pay Range:

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Responsible for the creation, implementation, analysis, interpretation, monitoring and reporting of the Dental Division sterilization and infection control practices; monitoring reportable conditions; educating employees about infection prevention; and ensuring rigorous infection prevention and control standards.

Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities of the Job

Dental Infection Prevention and Control Program  

Responsible for the development, implementation, maintenance, and updating of the SEARHC Dental Infection Prevention and Control Plan and Program in alignment with all IPC regulatory agencies and leading practices. 

Appropriate policies and procedures are written, approved, and implemented that support the IPC program and initiatives using CDC, OSHA, FDA, TJC, and Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) guidelines. 

Regulatory Compliance

Develops, maintains, and utilizes sound working knowledge of accreditation and regulatory standards and serves as primary resource for interpretation and application of standards as they pertain to SEARHC.

Actively involved in continuing education/trainings/conferences to keep abreast of standard changes.

Facilitates/coaches/guides managers and staff on regulatory standards and how to meet these in the most efficient manner for the organization and resources allotted.

Ensures appropriate action plans are developed, implemented and monitored based on data and leading practices as needed to meet regulations.

Conducts safety assessments when appropriate to decrease risks to patients and / or employees. 

Risk Management

Works closely and collaboratively with Dental Senior leaders, the PI Department, Facilities, Safety, Employee Health, and others on quality assessment and risk management issues.

Investigates all concerns, trends, or risk factors that present risks or safety concerns to patients and the organization.

Site Specific Responsibilities

Leads and directs local clinic leaders and staff in all SEARHC dental clinic locations to ensure that Infection Control and Sterilization processes are consistently being implemented and teams participate in quality/performance improvement initiatives and tasks.

Education/ Training

Serves as an expert for Infection Prevention and Control, staying abreast of the most current literature and leading practices.

Facilitates and promotes IPC education and training of all SEAHC Dental staff. 

Oversees new and recurring employee IPC orientation and training.   

Other Functions

Serves as chair of IPC committee

Other duties as assigned

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

Degree in Dental Hygiene, Nursing, Healthcare Management, or comparable degree with other specialized education/training in two or more of the following: infection control or epidemiology, risk management, performance/quality improvement, and/or utilization management.

Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year-to-year basis.

Certified in Infection Control (CIC), or similar certification preferred.

Certified Registered Central Service Technician preferred and is required within 6-months of employment.

Experience Required

Three (3) years of infection control experience and/or data collection and performance improvement/risk management experience. 

A minimum of two (2) years of experience in dental related activities is preferred.

Knowledge of

Accreditation requirements for a dental care system

Epidemiology and infectious disease

Organizational functions and operations

Project management and performance improvement methodology

Group processes

Skills in

Accurate, precise, and timely data entry and reports

Analytical judgment

Oral and written communication

Ability to

Train/teach specific and detailed processes to learners of a broad range of abilities

Lead teams in process change and implementation

Effectively solicit ideas and information from individuals and groups

Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

Synthesize regulatory requirements and evidence-based practices from a variety of professional and accrediting organizations and to translate knowledge into policy, implementation and staff education.

Manage programs and evaluate effectiveness

Collect, analyze, trend, and report data accurately and effectively

Work in a team environment and/or independently as necessary

Maintain a professional demeanor and communicate clearly with staff and leadership

Required Certifications:

Certified Registered Central Service Technician - Healthcare Sterile Processing Association

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!