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Position Description Overview

In collaboration with the Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS), the Associate Medical Director of IPC/AMS is responsible for implementation and oversight of the areas of infection prevention in conjunction with the Infection Control team and Quality and Safety. This includes but is not limited to regulatory readiness and maintenance, and reduction of healthcare associate infections (such as catheter associated urinary tract infections, central line associated bloodstream infections, and surgical site infections). The associate medical director of IPC/ASP will work as a member of a team of experts to coordinate infection prevention and reduction initiatives, and stewardship activities. The associate director will participate in local  and system-wide infection control committees, including in the areas of healthcare associated infections and quality and safety of patients.

Roles and Responsibility

In addition to clinical obligations as part of the infectious diseases division, they will carry additional primary roles and responsibilities will be to serve as the Associate Medical Director of IPC and AMS at Henry Ford Hospital.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to providing subject matter expertise in infection prevention, healthcare epidemiology, and appropriate use of antimicrobial agents. This includes the review of root cause analysis for healthcare associated infections or outbreak investigation with subsequent implementation of process improvement efforts to reduce infections. Additionally, this person will assist in coordination of multidisciplinary initiatives, the development and implementation of infection control principles in general and as they relate to reduction of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs), outbreak response, special or emerging pathogens; interpretation of epidemiologic data, and improvement of data infrastructures and data reporting in compliance with NHSN, CMS and other internal metrics.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Management and Leadership

• In association with the Quality & Safety team, infection Control team, and the Chief Quality Officers, the associate director of IPC/AMS assists in the further development and maintenance of the infection prevention and control program in close collaboration with hospital leadership, quality office and infection control team.
• Promotes collegiality and teamwork.
• Collaborates with senior leaders to ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Assists in conducting the annual assessments of IPC and AMS programs
• As a member of the team, develops the annual goals and plan for implementation programs for review and approval.
• Evaluates competency assessments and performance issues of project staff.
• Promotes departmental and organizational activities for providing courteous customer service to patients, families, visitors and external customers.
• Participates in leadership development activities; implements strategies and processes to improve employee morale and performance.
• Works with physicians, organizational leaders, community leaders, and staff to promote and educate on the understanding of regulations and functions.
• Support functions of the infection control, and antimicrobial stewardship pharmacy staff.
• Monitors detection and reporting of nosocomial infections and antimicrobial use on a systematic and current basis using National Healthcare Safety Network definitions.
• Assists in reviews of epidemiological reports to detect clustering of pathogenic organisms or increases in rates of infection in patient population.
• Assists in monitoring isolation practices and standard precautions while conducting surveillance activities on nursing units and in hospital departments. Reports identified problems to the infection control manager.
• Keeps Hospital Leadership, Quality Office, Administration, and Risk Management informed of problems and assists in the management and follow-up of antimicrobial use and Infection Control-related events.
• Proactively works on all aspects of faculty and staff retention.
• Actively participates and/or lead meetings and other forums in which information is exchanged and opinions solicited
• Develops an effective partnership with leadership and administrative counterparts reflective of deep respect of the value of physician / administrative dyad relationships.
• Builds identity of the IPC and AMS programs.
• Enthusiastically supports all Quality Improvement initiatives. Supports a tone that Henry Ford Detroit will be a leader in the area of Quality and will conduct itself to achieve the highest level of quality attainable.
• Is an active and vocal contributor to infection prevention derived quality, outcomes, patient satisfaction, etc., measures to use in proactive care activities.
• Ensures compliance with all patient safety/risk management programs.
• Is proficient in using metrics in managing programs and services.
• Participates as requested in developing and providing opportunities for continuing medical education for faculty, network providers, and Henry Ford affiliated community physicians.
• Performs other job-related duties as directed/needed. 
  

2. Program Development and Assessment

• Participates in reviews of infection control and antimicrobial use policies and procedures. Participates in or leads committees that focus on infection prevention and antimicrobial use-related issues. Collaborates with department heads/supervisory personnel in the development, review, and implementation of specific infection prevention and control policies and procedures for all services of the health system. 
• Develops and helps lead quality improvement activities such as initiatives to reduce unneeded antimicrobials and specific HAIs, improve hand hygiene, enhance disinfection practices, etc.
• Participates in the evaluation of products which may influence the occurrence of healthcare-associated infections, and antimicrobial agents for consideration of use at the hospital.

         Accept accountability for contributing continuously to improving performance.

3. Investigations/Evaluation

• In association with the Medical Director of IPC and AMS and Infection Prevention Manager and Quality team, maintains a system for disease surveillance and reporting of infections among patients and personnel. Provides oversight and quality assurance for the Department's surveillance activities. Recommends and implements changes for process improvement when indicated.

• In association with the team, leads investigations of known or suspected occurrences of infection among patients, personnel or visitors to the hospital.

• In association with the Quality and Safety team, assures that the hospital infection control program is following relevant regulatory requirements promulgated by city, state, and federal government agencies as well as those published by accreditation and payor agencies. 
• In association with the pharmacy team, conducts drug use investigations, and investigations of adverse effects, or effects of inappropriate therapy.

4. Teaching and Mentoring

• Educates and mentors relevant team members (including trainees) about best practices in infection control and prevention and antibiotic use.
• Acts as a consultant to nursing and other personnel including pharmacy and infection prevention for dissemination of special information concerning patients. Participates in patient care conferences when indicated. Advises about specific patient care issues and techniques.
• Serves as a liaison and information source for all hospital personnel concerned with prevention of healthcare-associated infections and appropriate use of antimicrobials
• Cooperates with faculty responsible for educational programs in order to contribute to student learning and experience.