Assistant Director, Infection Prevention & Public Health Support

Assistant Director, Infection Prevention & Public Health Support

Under the leadership of the Director, Nursing, the Assistant Director will provide leadership for Columbia Health Infection Prevention activities. The incumbent will work closely with senior leadership in setting and implementing an agenda that advances Columbia Health goals, objectives, and practices for health-related infection prevention and related public health issues. The Assistant Director will ensure infection prevention compliance and adherence to state, federal, accrediting, and regulatory requirements.

Within the RN scope of practice, this position will assess (including physical assessment) and provide nursing treatment, including identifying, documenting, planning, reporting, and administering nursing treatment for actual or potential health problems related to emerging infections, epidemics, sporadic outbreaks, and infectious occurrences such as sexually transmitted infections; air- or body-fluid-transmitted illnesses such as influenza, tuberculosis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, meningococcal disease, and hepatitis.

The incumbent will perform annual immunization or TB requirements for clinical students in select Graduate Schools and will manage new and active Columbia Health employee Fit Testing, TB, vaccinations, new employee health clearances, and annual flu immunization programs. The incumbent will also serve as a resource for leaders and staff in infection prevention practices.

This is an essential onsite role that requires occasional Saturday coverage during the academic terms. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

Responsibilities

• Infection Prevention (50%)
• In consultation with senior clinical leadership, implement prevention measures and conduct high-level and detailed process analyses to assess infection prevention issues.
• Work closely with the Director of Nursing and the Director of Clinical Services and Training to ensure that current standards of practice related to infection prevention and control are incorporated in patient care and employee practices.
• Collaborate with the Associate Vice President, Medical Services, and Director of Nursing in establishing a written program for identifying and preventing infections, maintaining a sanitary environment, and reporting results to appropriate authorities.
• Follow all health, sanitary, and infection control policies and maintain established standards of practice set forth by Medical Services and nursing policies and procedures. Identify and review Infection Prevention policies as changes in infection prevention practices occur.
• Work with the Columbia University community, Columbia Health Public Health Interventions team, and the Department of Health (DOH) when appropriate to track infectious disease exposures, epidemics, and pandemics occurring in or affecting the Columbia University community.
• In collaboration with senior clinical leadership, ensure that policies, protocols, and procedures are in place regarding infection prevention, control, and safety.
• Perform environmental sanitation monitoring of infection prevention practices. Collaborate with leaders to ensure best practices for infection prevention are followed, utilizing routine visual audits.
• Appropriately respond to accidental spills of chemicals and bodily fluids, including blood-borne pathogens.
• Work with the Manager, Facilities & Operations to ensure continuity of contracts and services for internal and external vendor partners providing terminal cleaning and waste management.
• Oversee Columbia Health Medical Waste manifest reconciliation in compliance with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection.
• Maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and monitor the use of chemicals and hazardous substances associated with clinical activities.
• Administer and facilitate immunizations in conjunction with community infection outbreaks; work collaboratively with the Clinical Case Manager to update pre-registration health requirements.
• Work with the DOH to obtain testing supplies in conjunction with an outbreak. Work with the DOH to ensure timely delivery of specimens for testing by the DOH when required.
• Work with the Purchasing Manager and Associate Director, Practice Operations to maintain necessary immunization supplies in the event of an outbreak.
• Provide updated data regarding current or imminent infectious/pandemic issues to senior leadership.
• Conduct infection prevention orientation for newly hired Medical Services staff; provide ongoing infection prevention in-service training.
• Clinical Care (25%)
• Provide cross-coverage of other nursing duties; triage patients' complaints using critical assessment skills, including crisis intervention, and management of acute and chronic medical problems.
• Refer patients for further clinical evaluation and follow-up, either for immediate care or a future appointment.
• Perform routine and specialized nursing care in areas of infection control.
• Function as a member of the Medical Services clinical team, supporting patient flow and care, and participate in meetings.
• Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by providers.
• Apply evidence-based practice when administering nursing care and performing therapeutic measures.
• Maintain proper documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system or other appropriate formats in accordance with state requirements and best medical practices.
• In conjunction with the Assistant Director, Operations, oversee the Columbia Health flu vaccination outreach program for eligible students, faculty, and staff. Work across functional teams, university schools, departments, and affiliated schools to schedule and conduct seasonal flu vaccinations.
• Coordinate the infection prevention assessment with the Columbia University community.
• Manage the occupational health infection prevention assessment with the Columbia University community.
• Compliance/Awareness (10%)
• Ensure compliance with New York City (NYC) and New York State (NYS) Infection Prevention & Control and Safety standards, and review laboratory documents with staff who provide direct patient care.
• Provide support and coordination for clinical laboratory site visits, including assistance with record keeping, and coordination of laboratory equipment testing, repair, and timely replacement necessary to maintain NYS DOH licensure.
• Ensure substantial compliance with accreditation organization standards pertaining to Infection Prevention, Control, and Safety.
• Oversee initial and annual in-service training pertaining to infection prevention education and training that complies with requirements.
• In collaboration with the Columbia Health Facilities Manager, monitor vaccine refrigerator temperatures as outlined in Columbia Health policies/procedures.
• In collaboration with the Director, Clinical Services & Training and Laboratory Manager, oversee the periodic and annual infection prevention reporting to the city and state (DOH), including but not limited to infections such as sexually transmitted, air- or body-fluid-transmitted illnesses such as influenza, tuberculosis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, meningococcal disease, and hepatitis.
• Ensure annual flu vaccine compliance.
• Prepare annual screening reports as mandated by New York State.
• In collaboration with the Immunization Compliance Manager, support compliance for pre-matriculation immunizations and prepare the annual Measles-Mumps-Rubella and Meningitis report as required by New York State.
• Communicate and consult with public health agencies to ensure appropriate communicable disease reporting and prevention, as well as the adoption of community-wide initiatives.
• Employee Health (10%)
• Collaborate with a designated external vendor to ensure Columbia Health new hires meet certain immunization requirements (e.g.,TB screening, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis, Influenza, and Hepatitis B); confirm employee clearance with Columbia Health Human Resources prior to the start date.
• Track immunization compliance for employees and infectious disease exposures of Columbia Health employees; maintain current health files on active staff members.
• Ensure timely notification of employee injuries and exposures/events reporting for Medical Services healthcare providers. Maintain an employee exposure log for reporting to OSHA.
• Track and trend all employee exposure/injury reports to ensure proper notification.
• Administer and/or facilitate immunizations, TB, and laboratory testing for Columbia Health employees.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nursing and a current New York State Registered Nurse license.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) and infection control certification.
• Minimum of four (4) years of directly related experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of OSHA, infection prevention regulatory requirements and standards, and public health mandates related to immunization compliance.
• Proven clinical judgment and skills in the full range of functions of a Registered Professional Nurse.
• Ability to relate appropriately to, communicate effectively with, and develop trusting relationships with a diverse patient population and staff.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all members of the multidisciplinary health care team.
• Strong computer skills and experience with electronic health records (EHR) systems.
• Ability to observe proper safety and sanitary techniques.
• Self-motivated, dependable, and highly adaptable with a strong work ethic.