Overview In a joint venture partnership with UT Health System, Ardent operates UT Health East Texas in Tyler, Texas. UT Health East Texas is comprised of UT Health Tyler (the area’s only Level I trauma center), UT Health North Campus, UT Health Athens, UT Health Carthage, UT Health Henderson, UT Health Jacksonville, UT Health Pittsburg, UT Health Quitman, UT Health Air1/EMS, UT Health East Texas Rehabilitation Hospital, UT Health Long Term Acute Care, UT Health Hope Cancer Center and UT Health East Texas Physicians. With 974 licensed beds, UT Health East Texas is advancing healthcare, together. POSITION SUMMARY This position, in collaboration with the Infection Prevention Team Co-Chair Physician & Infection Prevention Physician Champions, is responsible for the creation and effective direction, management and operation of the Infection Prevention Program for UT Health East Texas to: 1) reduce the risk of endemic and epidemic infections in patients, employees and visitors of UTH-Tyler, as well as the community; and 2) reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections (HAIs). This position serves as a key partner and collaborator with medical staff and patient care leaders to continually evaluate infection prevention related practices to assure compliance with evidence based guidelines as well as regulatory and accreditation standards. This position is responsible for delivery of the Infection Program for the UT Health Market and ensure collaborative standardization of the Infection Program throughout UT Health Responsibilities Develops and coordinates the Infection Prevention program for UT Health Market and serves as the lead for all affiliate campuses and clinics for the standardization of the IP Program throughout the market; serves as the IP liaison with Ardent Corporate. Manages the staff within the Infection Prevention program, including hiring, evaluations, and counseling as needed. Embeds CIC mentorship program for all Infection Preventionists for UT Health East Texas into the IP Program. Establishes, implements, and administers Infection Prevention program goals, objectives, policies and procedures; conducts ongoing review of hospital policies, procedures and guidelines to identify infection prevention discrepancies and implements revisions as necessary. Ensures that IP program goals are compatible with and enhance the hospital and organization's mission, values, and strategic plan. Provides information to hospital committees and department managers to formulate changes in policies, procedures and/or processes which could reduce the spread of infection. Develops and enforces effective policies and procedures for the Infection Prevention program that ensures compliance with The Joint Commission, CMS, FDPH, OSHA, CDC and other county, state, and federal regulatory agencies. Remains up-to-date on all state and federal legislation impacting infection prevention. Standardizes the activities of the Infection Prevention Committee meetings by preparing the agenda and providing oversight for assembling meeting documents and following up on meeting actions. Collaborates with the Infection Prevention Team Co-Chair Physician in oversight of the Infection Prevention program strategies and goals. Serves as system administrator for Infection Prevention databases, including surveillance program and National Health and Safety Network (NHSN), Oversees the accuracy and integrity of the Infection Prevention surveillance process and assures that it meets regulatory requirements. Directs and assists in preparing reports and statistical data for the Infection Prevention Committee, medical staff committees and the facility administration and other committees as needed. Performs an annual risk assessment to develop program priorities and develops action plans from the prior year evaluation findings. Serves in a leadership role and support role, as appropriate, on Performance Improvement (PI) teams focused on reducing healthcare associated infections (HAIs). Ability to provide coverage for Infection Preventionists: Directs the investigation of communicable disease exposures and outbreaks by assessing occurrences, implementing prevention measures and nosocomial and community infection. Ensures construction projects meet infection prevention standards Coordinates surveillance of infections by reviewing laboratory reports, census, data and medical records in order to define the presence of hospital-onset and community infections. Plans and coordinates special infection prevention studies and projects related to problem areas of performance improvement findings in order to prevent infections. Coordinates the reporting of communicable diseases and any unusual outbreaks of infections to the appropriate local, state and federal public health agencies. Serves as an expert resource on the care of patients across the age continuum with infections/communicable diseases, and disease processes and related issues. Designs and provides infection prevention education in orientation programs and other specific continuing education and community education programs in the promotion of infection prevention awareness. Provides consultation to Employee Health Services regarding infection risks associated with the hospital setting. Recommends methods of detection and prevention of infections in specific employee illness and exposure situations. Consults with all hospital departments to solve problems related to aseptic and sanitation issues which affect the hospital environment. Evaluates products and equipment for efficient, cost-effective contribution to patient care and infection prevention. Serves as a member of hospital committees, including the Environment of Care Committee and Emergency Management as appropriate by representing the infection prevention program and serving as an infection prevention resource. Liaison to local health department for communicable disease follow-up. In collaboration with Case Management/Nursing Supervisor, facilitates discharge and placement of infected/isolated patients as required. Qualifications Education & Experience Requires either 1) Registered Nurse license in the state of Texas with a bachelor's degree in a related field; or 2) Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Epidemiology or Public Health Master's degree in Microbiology, Epidemiology, or Public Health or a related field preferred Must have experience serving in a coordination or leadership capacity for quality improvement activities associated with reduction of hospital-associated infections (HAIs) in an acute care hospital Active membership in the local infection control professional organization Certification in Infection Control (CIC) required May consider five years of experience managing an Infection Control program (including supervision of IP staff) in an acute care hospital in lieu of CIC requirement. If no CIC credentials at time of hire, requirement to obtain CIC within 1 year of hire. If CIC credentials, must also have a minimum two years of experience managing an Infection Control program (including supervision of IP staff) in an acute care hospital. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Demonstrates continuous learning in the principles of infection prevention in healthcare