System Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology - Generous time off / Located near Finger Lakes Region - Guthrie Medical Group

General Summary: This position reports to the System Chief Quality Officer of The Guthrie Clinic for Infection Control duties and to the Chief of Infectious Diseases for clinical Infectious Disease duties.

The Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control is responsible for the oversight and implementation of the Infection Prevention Plan in conjunction with the System Infection Preventionist/ Operational director.  

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:  The role will be 0.5 FTE Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control, and 0.5 Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to providing subject matter expertise in infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology; reviewing health-care associated infections with subsequent implementation of infection control and process improvement efforts to reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs); development and implementation of infection control principles and policies in general and as they relate to reduction of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs), outbreak response and special pathogens; interpretation of epidemiologic data, and improvement of data infrastructures and data reporting in compliance with NHSN, CMS and other internal metrics.

The Medical Director’s goals include:

• Develop along with the System Infection Preventionist the annual goals and plan for implementation of the Infection Control Program for review and approval.
• Maintenance of infection specific rates at or below national best practice
• Maintenance of regulatory requirements, including review of relevant clinical areas to ensure adherence to environment of care standards including disinfection, sterilization and surveillance
• Leading system efforts to achieve hand hygiene goals
• Lead the development, implementation, and supervision of a health systemwide program for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections
• Leading system infectious outbreak investigations and ensuring emergency preparedness
• Design and participate in quality improvement initiatives to ensure a reduction in harm

• Implementation of infection control policies designed to reduce or eliminate outbreaks in the health system, develop and implement facility-wide infection prevention and control measures to protect patients, staff and visitors.
• Monitoring patient care for compliance with established standards and investigate known or suspected sources of infections in order to determine the source and ensure control.
• Oversee preparation of Risk Assessment and Infection Control (IC) Surveillance data presented to the IC Committee. Conduct epidemiologic investigations of these findings.
• Develop and provide related education to staff in partnership with operational leaders.
• Participate in direction, supervision and support functions of the infection control staff.
• Monitor detection and reporting of nosocomial infections on a systematic and current basis using National Healthcare Safety Network definitions.
• Help to develop and then perform reviews of epidemiological reports to detect clustering of pathogenic organisms or increases in rates of infection in patient population.
• Assist in the monitoring and proper implementation of isolation practices and Standard Precautions on nursing units and in hospital departments.
• Inform hospital leadership, Quality Office and Risk Management of acute issues and assist in the management and follow-up of Infection Control-related events.
• Supervise identification of reports and information on specific communicable diseases to the local Health Department and other official bodies as required by law.
• Review relevant department, nursing, and outpatient clinics Infection Control Guidelines with appropriate leaders.
• Chair, attend and participate in the Infection Control Committee meetings, and policy and procedure meetings.

• Participate in Quality and Patient Safety committees
• The Medical Director will coordinate epidemiologic activities across the health system including:
  • Maintain a system for surveillance and reporting of infections among patients and personnel. Provide oversight and quality assurance for the Department’s surveillance activities. Recommend and implement changes in the system when indicated. Maintain a formal internal and external system of communication to inform and direct personnel concerning potential and existing problems.
  • Lead investigations of known or suspected occurrences of infection among patients, personnel or visitors to the hospital.
  • Participate in product recalls associated with potential or identified healthcare associated infections.
  • Serve as a liaison to the City and County and State Health, Departments, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention as needed to fulfill the hospital’s mandatory reporting requirements for infections and in the conduct of outbreak investigations as appropriate.
  • Assure that the hospital infection control program is in compliance with relevant requirements promulgated by city, state, and federal government agencies as well as those published by accreditation and payor agencies.

  Education/Experience Required

  • Must have an M.D. degree, or equivalent, from an approved medical school, and have satisfactorily completed an Internal Medicine residency program, and an Infectious Diseases fellowship program, from an ACGME accredited program.
  • Minimum of 10 years in direct patient care experience
  • Minimum of 5 years of supervisory and/or leadership experience in a healthcare setting.
  • Minimum of 2 years experience leading Infection Prevention & Control with strong/expert working knowledge of infectious diseases, data collection, and/or basis statistics
  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to advance and develop a superior infection prevention program.
  • Able to function effectively and drive the creation and management of projects and programs to successful outcomes in a highly matrixed organization.
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills and presentation skills for both clinical and non-clinical audiences, in-group settings or one-on-one.
  • Expertise in establishing physician relationships combined with the ability to manage an interdisciplinary team while appreciating and fostering collegial and peer participation from all disciplines.
  • Effective supervisory skills, including clinical mentoring and coaching expertise.

  Certifications/Licensures Required

  • Must be eligible for PA and NY medical licensure
  • Must be board-certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease.
  • MPH or similar advanced degree is preferred.

Work Life Balance 

• Generous Paid Time Off annually, in addition to holidays and sick time 

Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits 

• Competitive RVU model with strong, internal referral network 
• Full benefits including medical, dental and disability insurance 
• Malpractice insurance  
• Guthrie Retirement Savings Plan (403B) with employer match and age-based contributions 
• Allowance for licensure fees, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) certificate, and renewals 
• $10,000 referral bonus if you refer a physician that we hire on a full-time basis 

Supportive Transition 

• Relocation expenses paid  
• Accompanying partner placement assistance available 
• Physician professional and social special interest groups  
• Dedicated Onboarding Specialist and Provider Services team to ensure a successful start at Guthrie 

About Us

The Guthrie Clinic is a non-profit, integrated, practicing physician-led organization in the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania. Our multi-specialty group practice of more than 366 physicians and 302 advanced practice providers offers 47 specialties through a regional office network providing primary and specialty care in 22 communities. Guthrie Medical Education Programs include General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Anesthesiology and Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, as well as Cardiovascular, Gastroenterology and Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship programs. Guthrie is also a clinical campus for the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.

Guthrie Physicians and Advanced Practitioners provide more than 1 million patient visits per year to enhance the health and well-being of those we serve within an environment of compassion, learning, and discovery. 

About the Area

This region offers breathtaking natural beauty and provides a quiet, safe environment for families with beautiful homes and neighborhoods. With plenty of cultural and sports activities of its own, Guthrie’s central location affords the benefits of dining, shopping, culture and recreation in small cities and communities, with easy access to big cities like New York and Philadelphia.

About the Hospital

A 254-bed tertiary care referral center, Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, Pa., is the recipient of numerous national awards for the high-quality care it provides to patients. The hospital is a Regional Level II Trauma Center, accredited by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation, and is served by Guthrie Air, a regional aeromedical helicopter program. Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital offers a full range of diagnostic, medical and surgical services, including:

• Guthrie Breast Care Center
• Guthrie Cancer Center
• Guthrie Cardiac and Vascular Center
• Guthrie Musculoskeletal Services
• Guthrie Imaging Services
• Guthrie Specialty Eye Care
• Guthrie Surgical Services
• Guthrie Weight Loss Center
• Level II Trauma Center
• Medical/surgical and intensive care services