Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control

General Summary:

Reporting to the HFHS Associate Chief Clinical Officer/Chief Quality Officer (ACCO, CQO), the HFHS Medical Director Infection Prevention and Control is responsible for the oversight and implementation of the Infection Prevention Plan in conjunction with the Administrative Director, Infection Prevention and Control and the hospital Medical Directors, Infection Prevention and Control and hospital Infection Prevention Specialists. The medical director is responsible for overall quality, safety, regulatory activities and performance excellence.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

The primary roles and responsibilities will be to serve as the Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control  at Henry Ford Health System. Responsibilities include but are not limited to providing subject matter expertise in infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology; reviewing health-care associated infections with subsequent implementation of infection control and process improvement efforts to reduce HAIs; development and implementation of infection control principles and policies in general and as they relate to reduction of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs), outbreak response and special pathogens; interpretation of epidemiologic data, and improvement of data infrastructures and data reporting in compliance with NHSN, CMS and other internal metrics.

• The Medical Director’s goals include:
  • Develops the annual goals and plan for implementation of the Infection Control Program for review and approval.
  • Maintenance of infection specific rates at or below national best practice
  • Maintenance of regulatory requirements, including review of relevant clinical areas to ensure adherence to environment of care standards including disinfection, sterilization and surveillance
  • Leading system efforts to achieve hand hygiene goals
  • Leads the development, implementation, and supervision of a health system-wide program for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections
  • Leading system infectious outbreak investigations and ensuring emergency preparedness
  • Design and participate in quality improvement initiatives to ensure a reduction in harm
• The Medical Director will coordinate infection prevention initiatives across the health system including:
  • Implementation of infection control policies designed to reduce or eliminate outbreaks in the health system, develops and implements facility-wide infection prevention and control measures to protect patients, staff and visitors
  • Monitoring patient care for compliance with established standards and investigates known or suspected sources of infections in order to determine the source and ensure control
  • Oversees preparation of Risk Assessment and Infection Control (IC) Surveillance data presented to the IC Committee. Conducts epidemiologic investigations of these findings
  • Develops and provides related education to staff in partnership with operational leaders
  • Participates in input on staffing needs and department operating budgets on an annual basis and monitors areas of responsibility for compliance
  • Participates in direction, supervision and support functions of the infection control staff
  • Monitors detection and reporting of nosocomial infections on a systematic and current basis using National Healthcare Safety Network definitions
  • Performs reviews of Epidemiological Reports to detect clustering of pathogenic organisms or increases in rates of infection in patient population
  • Monitors isolation practices and Standard Precautions while conducting surveillance activities on nursing units and in hospital departments. Reports identified problems to the manager of that particular unit
  • Informs hospital leadership, Quality Office and Risk Management of acute issues and assists in the management and follow-up of Infection Control-related events
  • Supervises identification of reports and information on specific communicable diseases to the local Health Department and other official bodies as required by law.
  • Reviews relevant department, nursing, and outpatient clinics Infection Control Guidelines with appropriate leaders; submits reports of review and/or revisions to the Infection Control Committee
  • Chairs, attends and participates in the Infection Control Committee meetings, and policy and procedure meetings.
  • Participates on the HFHS Quality, Safety and Reliability committee to ensure achievement of HFHS goals and objectives
• The Medical Director will coordinate epidemiologic activities across the health system including:
  • Maintains a system for surveillance and reporting of infections among patients and personnel. Provides oversight and quality assurance for the Department’s surveillance activities. Recommends and implements changes in the system when indicated. Maintains a formal internal and external system of communication to inform and direct personnel concerning potential and existing problems.
  • Leads investigations of known or suspected occurrences of infection among patients, personnel or visitors to the hospital.
  • Participates in product recalls associated with potential or identified healthcare-associated infections.
  • Serves as a liaison to the City and County and State Health, Departments, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention as needed to fulfill the hospital’s mandatory reporting requirements for infections and in the conduct of outbreak investigations as appropriate.
  • Assures that the hospital infection control program is in compliance with relevant requirements promulgated by city, state, and federal government agencies as well as those published by accreditation and payor agencies.

Skills/Competencies:

• Maintains ongoing education and proficiency related to infection control and prevention best practices
• Demonstrated competency and enthusiasm in leading infection prevention initiatives
• Demonstrated leadership skills in working with individuals and teams.
• Knowledge of quality improvement theory and method
• Ability to write concise, informative letters, memoranda, policies, and reports
• Maturity, initiative, and ability to be self-directed
• Demonstrated ability to work with or understand databases, clinical systems, and epidemiologic analysis including familiarity with submitting and extracting data to CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Advocate for organizational values and commitment to religious, racial and gender equity and diversity
• Personal characteristics of integrity, maturity, and honesty aligned with the Mission and Values of the Henry Ford Health System

Reporting Relationships

• Directly reports to: HFHS ACCO/CQO
• Matrix reporting to: Division Head, Infectious Diseases, Henry Ford Medical Group
• Direct reports include: Hospital Medical Directors of Infection Control/Prevention

Qualifications

• Applicants must have an MD degree, or equivalent, from an approved LCME medical school, and have satisfactorily completed an Internal Medicine residency program, and an Infectious Diseases fellowship program, from an ACGME accredited program. Candidates must be eligible for Michigan medical licensure and be board-certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease.
• MPH or MHA preferred but not required
• Minimum of 5-10 years in direct patient care experience and in healthcare quality and/or performance improvement
• Minimum of 5 years supervisory and/or leadership experience in a healthcare setting
• Two-plus years of experience in Infection Control with strong/expert working knowledge of infectious diseases, data collection, and/or basis statistics
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to advance and develop a superior infection prevention program
• Able to function effectively and drive the creation and management of projects and programs to successful outcomes in a highly matrixed organization
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and presentation skills for both clinical and non-clinical audiences, in group settings or one-on-one.
• Expertise in establishing physician relationships combined with the ability to manage an interdisciplinary team while appreciating and fostering collegial and peer participation from all disciplines
• Effective supervisory skills, including clinical mentoring and coaching expertise.