Director, Infection Prevention

Overview Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) helps patients live better, healthier lives and supports one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, HMH’s employees are team members. Competitive benefits are just the beginning. Here, it’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together we keep getting better—advancing our mission to transform health‑care and serve as a leader of positive change. The Director of Infection Prevention works in partnership with the Hospital Epidemiologist, Regional Chief Quality Officer, Medical Director for Quality and System Improvement, and the HMH VP of Infection Prevention and Control to develop, implement, and manage an Infection Prevention program that minimizes infectious risk to patients, families and team members while complying with regulatory, government, and accrediting requirements and organizational policies. Responsibilities Program Management: Develop, implement, and evaluate the organizational infection prevention program; conduct annual risk assessments and develop infection prevention plans; design initiatives and interventions to meet network and hospital goals; communicate data and findings to leadership and committees; analyze trends and report results; oversee surveillance for hospital–acquired infections; manage NHSN database; oversee investigations of outbreaks; develop and maintain policies; oversee sterilization, disinfection, construction, and sanitation standards; conduct risk assessments for construction projects; provide just‑in‑time coaching on compliance; liaison with public health agencies; collaborate on product evaluation; ensure 24/7 coverage and call coverage as needed. Design and Deliver Education: Develop written education documents; create orientation and continuing education programs for employees, volunteers, and clinical staff on communicable diseases, microbiological hazards, bloodborne pathogens, tuberculosis, and regulatory standards; assess learning needs; set goals, objectives, and strategies; evaluate effectiveness of programs. Regulatory Requirements: Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal reporting; facilitate accreditation standards (NHSN, Joint Commission, etc.); maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of CMS, NJ DOH, Joint Commission, OSHA, and CDC regulations. Performance Improvement (PI): Apply PI methodology and high‑reliability principles; define project scope and select tools; monitor and analyze process and outcome measures; use rapid‑cycle improvement tools (PDSA, FMEA, etc.); participate in PI committees. Occupational Health: Review policies related to infection prevention; assess exposure risks; support immunization and screening; collaborate on work restrictions and safety recommendations. Human Resources: Supervise infection prevention team; conduct performance appraisals; provide learning and career advancement opportunities; coach and correct; hire and orient new staff; maintain required documentation. Professional Accountability: Pursue professional growth; maintain certifications; set annual professional goals; advocate patient safety; participate in professional organizations such as APIC. Collaboration: Work closely with clinical and non‑clinical teams; coach and support as needed; consult with public health officials and community organizations; participate in network projects; support emergency preparedness for infectious threats. Leadership: Apply influence and change management; bring enthusiasm and innovation; provide direction; share knowledge; mentor less‑experienced providers; deliver presentations to external groups. Research & Implementation Science: Evaluate evidence‑based practices; integrate findings into policies and protocols; identify barriers and develop strategies; sustain improvements with audit tools. IPC Informatics: Familiar with infection prevention software; collaborate with IT and data science to create electronic reports. Fiscal Responsibility: Assess financial and safety implications; evaluate cost, benefit, and efficacy; integrate fiscal assessments into program evaluations; develop and maintain departmental budget. Qualifications Minimum 5 years of experience in clinical or patient‑care services or a relevant health‑care position. B.S. degree in Nursing, Microbiology, Public Health, Medical Technology, Health Care Administration, or a related field. Minimum 3 years of experience in Infection Prevention. Licenses and Certifications Required Certified in Infection Control (CIC). Compensation and Benefits The minimum base pay for this role is $148,262.40 annually. Compensations are benchmarked against market data and may vary based on experience, education, skills, geographic location, and internal equity. In addition to full‑time and part‑time (20+ hours per week) positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits. EEO Statement HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay is a reasonable good‑faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting, in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act. It does not reflect the full value of our market‑competitive total rewards package. #J-18808-Ljbffr Hackensack Meridian Health