In 2020 united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care including 11 hospitals and nearly 5000 physicians and providers. Together we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.

This position is responsible for overseeing and evaluating a comprehensive Infection Prevention/Control program for the assigned Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) facility/function designed to improve patient safety by minimizing the risk of transmission of healthcare-associated infections associated with medical procedures, equipment and devices. Populations served include patients, employees, volunteers, students and visitors. An incumbent applies sound epidemiologic principles, including risk stratification, to identify target populations, analyze trends and risk factors, and develop and evaluate prevention and control tactics for local application based on overarching strategies and priorities for the Pacific Northwest Division.
Patient-focused functions include risk assessment and risk reduction strategies (infectious disease transmission, construction/renovation projects, water events and air events), hospital-acquired infection surveillance, significant organism surveillance (including emerging pathogens), environment of care surveillance, education and notifiable diseases reporting for inpatients.

Work also involves researching and developing a comprehensive risk assessment(s) on an annual basis for the assigned facility/function, which prioritizes the risks, evaluates achievement of previous years’ plan, and creates a future plan, including stated goals for each distinct factor/element. An incumbent is in frequent communication with managers to provide timely feedback and to develop and implement proactive preventative and corrective action plans in response to actual and potential issues.

Work requires considerable knowledge of professional public health/epidemiology standards/practices/tools in order to assure that infection control and prevention procedures/protocols are understood and applied in the assigned facility in a timely, efficient and effective manner. Duties performed involve weighing and evaluating many factors requiring judgment, analytical ability and problem-solving in dealing with complex data and dynamic situations. Strong change management skills and the ability to work effectively with a variety of internal/external committees/work groups to promote utilization of EMR technologies and associated transition to new healthcare delivery systems is required.

Education/Work Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in nursing, public health, epidemiology, medical technology program, or other healthcare related field, and five years of recent related healthcare work experience that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge/abilities.

OR

Graduation from an accredited school of nursing, and five years of recent related work experience that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge/abilities.
Master’s degree in a related discipline may be substituted for two years of the experience requirement.

Licensure/Certification:

Depending on qualifying degree:

In Nursing: Current licensure by the Washington State Nursing Commission, OR

Other qualifying degree:

National Registration as an MLS (ASCP);
Certification with the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist.
Certification in Infection Control (CBIC).
Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)
Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRST)
Certified Board of Infection Control