Unit Manager - Infection Prevention

MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged, non-profit public health institute. We are a team of teams, process and content experts, dedicated to building A world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

Title: Unit Manager - Infection Prevention

$69,742 - $102,980/ Posted Thru: 4-24-24

Location: Hybrid - Lansing, MI Office

Purpose: This position will supervise professional frontline staff in the development and implementation of infection prevention (IP) programs within the Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Section of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The employee works within general IP methods and procedures, exercises considerable independent judgment to select the proper course of action, and is required to review the work of professional Public Health Consultants, Nursing Consultants, and/or Infection Preventionists to ensure programmatic conformance with statewide healthcare associated infection (HAI) strategies, activities, and grant requirements.

This position will work closely with other programs in the Healthcare-Associated Infections Section of the MDHHS Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Division to strategically deploy and guide staff during investigations and infection prevention assessments of various healthcare settings across the continuum of care. This position will work collaboratively within the Section, Division and Bureau to meet the grant and funding requirements of the program as well as contribute to the overall HAI reduction and infection prevention strategy.

In addition to personnel supervision, this employee will work to coordinate response among members of the MDHHS team, local health departments, and other partner agencies (such as licensing agencies or quality improvement organizations).

• Timely communication and information sharing among internal and external partners (results or findings) to inform and guide prevention activities.
• Support timely investigation of non-AR/MDRO HAI outbreaks.
• Facilitate collaboration of dialysis facilities throughout the state.
• Ensure staff are available to support HAI response and staff are adequately trained.
• Administration responsibilities within the IP unit.
• Coordinate annual fit testing of staff if applicable.
• Engage and collaborate with staff and teams to determine and develop professional development plans and opportunities.
• Coordinate activities by scheduling work assignments, setting priorities, and directing the work of subordinate employees.
• Assist with writing and completion of progress reports, performance metrics and budget updates.
• Assist with the writing and submission of grant applications.
• Evaluate and verify employee performance through the review of completed work assignments and work techniques.
• Identify staff development and training needs and ensures that training is obtained.
• Maintain records, prepare reports, and compose correspondence relative to the work.
• Coordinate and direct health projects in local communities for the promotion and maintenance of public health by implementing and evaluating policies, programs and services that affect the health of the community.
• Consult with and provide technical assistance to state and local program administrators, legislators, the media, and other interested parties regarding population health program issues.
• Develop and interpret rules, policies, and procedures related to health programs and services for implementation by public or private health agencies including community-based organizations and health provider organizations.
• Ensure ethical principles are applied in accessing, collecting, analyzing, utilizing, maintaining, and disseminating data and information.
• Ensure programs seek input from other organizations and individuals (schools, social service organizations, hospitals, government, community-based organizations, various populations served, etc.) for improving the health of the community.
• Assist in the preparation of educational materials and its evaluation for effectiveness and appropriateness.
• Develop and monitor program budgets, contracts, and workplans.
• Develop strategies for continuous quality improvement.
• Always represent the best interests of MDHHS and MPHI.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education: Possession of a master's degree in public health, health communication, health policy or a public health related field such as nursing, epidemiology, health education, health economics, dietetics/nutrition management, genetics, or speech and audiology; a master's degree in public or business administration with a health care administration concentration.

Experience: Four years of professional, post-master's experience as a consultant in a field of public health equivalent to a Public Health Consultant, including two years of experience working with government agencies.

• Ability to coordinate state and local health care program activities.
• Ability to recognize health system problems and recommend solutions.
• Ability to maintain favorable public relations.
• Ability to direct and evaluate employees.
• Ability to train subordinate professional staff and local personnel regarding health care programs and promotion of population health.
• Ability to plan and oversee health care programs for local communities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations.
• Thorough knowledge of public health evidence-based practices.
• Thorough knowledge of training and supervisory techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of policies, procedures, rules, and regulations relative to the specialized program being directed.
• Thorough knowledge of community organizations.
• Thorough knowledge of local health agencies.
• Thorough knowledge of the needs and problems in the field of community health.
• Thorough knowledge of the initiation, development, and evaluation of public health programs.
• Thorough knowledge of the techniques of dealing with diverse individuals, groups, and communities.
• Ability to maintain records, and prepare reports, and correspondence related to the work.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong customer service and communication skills with both internal and external stakeholders.
• High level of personal integrity, dedication, creativity, flexibility, and initiative.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: Hybrid position with remote work from home, scheduled Lansing office days, and healthcare facility site visit if applicable. Job may require moderate physical effort including lifting materials and equipment of <50# and involves viewing a CRT or VDT screen 25% to 75% of the time. Standard office environment. Will require valid vehicle operator's license where needed to perform duties of the position (e.g., healthcare facility site visit).

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: Direct supervision of infection prevention public health consultants, nurse consultants, and epidemiologists.

IMPACT ON PROJECTS, SERVICES AND OPERATIONS: This position will be a key member of the State's response to reduce HAIs and other infectious diseases of interest. The candidate will provide subject matter expertise to healthcare facilities and State and local partners with respect to preventing the transmission of infectious diseases of interest in congregate settings. The position will help ensure that the best evidence-based practices are being implemented to help protect the health of residents/patients and staff in these settings.

"For purposes of employment standards, this classification is "Exempt" from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act."

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