The Clinical Transformation department focus is the advancement of Gillette’s clinical model through clinical practice excellence. This includes, but is not limited to, overseeing the translation, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of both existing evidence and new knowledge into clinical practice.

This position is a hybrid role, potentially several days onsite per week, and flexibility to work onsite as needed is required. The office location is downtown St. Paul, MN. Relocation to the area would be required if the selected candidate resides outside of driving distance upon hire. 

The Clinical Transformation Specialist for Infection Prevention provides leadership in project management, quality improvement, and promotion of clinical excellence with a focus on infection prevention. The incumbent in this position functions independently to reduce the risk of health care acquired infections to patients, staff, volunteers, and visitors through knowledge translation and utilization of implementation science across diverse specialty areas and locations. The position will collaboratively develop and facilitate the adoption of relevant policies, procedures, protocols, and pathways that are evidence based. Additionally, the incumbent assures infection prevention activities comply with applicable laws and regulations, Federal and State guidelines, the Joint Commission, as well as all other accrediting agencies and CDC guidelines.

This position assumes responsibility for quality and process improvement initiatives related to infection prevention for our pediatric and adult patients.They mentor clinicians and provide guidance to engage clinical staff in evidence-based, quality improvement initiatives, and knowledge translation. They work in a consultative and/or collaborative capacity with managers, education specialists, and interdisciplinary staff to advance care and facilitate change through clinical integration. They foster an engaged professional practice model, and are responsible for developing evidence-based, strategic initiatives to advance clinical care. The incumbent collaborates with Quality and Safety leaders to advance organizational level priorities related to infection prevention.

Compensation & Benefits 

The annual salary range for this opportunity is $91,062 to $136,593, with a median salary of $113,828/annually. Pay is dependent on several factors including relevant work experience and internal equity. Salary is just one component of the compensation package for employees. Gillette supports career progression and offers a competitive benefits package, including a retirement saving match, tuition and certification reimbursement, paid time off, and health and wellness benefits for .5 FTE and above.

Primary Job Responsibilities 

• Knowledge Translation
  • Finds, critiques, and synthesizes peer-reviewed, evidence-based information to support clinical integration. Readily adjusts to shifting priorities and work assignments.

• • Provides consultation and support to clinical staff regarding implementation of translated knowledge, supporting evidence-based practice. Participates in data collection and analysis, and preparation for dissemination of results.
  • Provides team support and expertise to facilitate clinical integration at Gillette.
  • Support the advancement of Gillette’s clinical model with a focus on knowledge translation and evidence-based practice. Promotes clinical practice excellence across diverse specialty areas and locations through the unification of data, services, and coordination across the organization. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting initiatives that involve the translation, implementation, analysis, and dissemination of both new knowledge and existing evidence into clinical practice.

• Plans, organizes, and documents infection prevention activities that follow regulations and standards. Evaluates the effectiveness of the activities and incorporates change.
  • Annually conducts risk assessment with input from providers, staff, and leadership for acquiring and transmission of infection. Prioritizes risks and sets annual goals set to minimize transmission of infections for patients.
  • Develops and maintains the organizational annual plans for infection surveillance, prevention, and control. Annually evaluates and documents the effectiveness of the plans and goals for the year.
  • In collaboration with education and professional development department, provides orientation and continuing education programs pertaining to infection prevention. Evaluates effectiveness of educational offering and adjusts and modifies as needed.
  • Performs daily interprofessional rounds on all infectious disease patients and participates in developing and evaluating the plan of care.
  • In collaboration with nursing leaders, reviews and evaluates patient care areas to ensure appropriateness of isolation techniques. Takes appropriate action to mitigate the risk of infectious disease transmission.
  • Consults on infection risk assessments, prevention and control strategies related to occupational health, construction, and disaster planning.
  • Works closely with Human Resources, Child and Family Services, the Environment of Care (EOC), and other departments to ensure infection prevention modalities are adopted.

• Develops and maintains systems to detect monitor and report infections.
  • Provides surveillance, analysis, and interpretation of infection prevention data.
  • Evaluates unusual clusters or outbreaks of infections in patients or Gillette staff. Conducts contact tracing and investigations as appropriate.
  • Completes and monitors occurrence reports of healthcare acquired conditions and leads the review and cause analysis of infection related serious safety events (when indicated). 
  • Ensures infection prevention policies remain compliant with nationally recognized infection prevention guidelines, applicable laws and regulations, Federal and State guidelines, the Joint Commission as well as other accrediting agencies and CDC guidelines.

• Competence in Technology Required of the Position
  • Demonstrates understanding of the tools and systems needed to accomplish work. This includes expertly navigating databases for science and biomedical topics (e.g., PubMed, CINAHL), using a citation manager software program (e.g., EndNote), and using a web application for building and managing online surveys and databases (e.g., REDCap).
  • Utilizes critical thinking and evidence-based knowledge to support the evaluation of innovative technologies.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in a health science
• Experience in a clinical setting
• Previous experience critically evaluating and synthesizing published evidence
• Previous experience with project development and management

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates knowledge of principles of infection prevention and surveillance
• Demonstrate the ability to collect and analyze epidemiological data, report findings to a variety of audiences including clinical and non-clinical staff members, organization leadership, regulatory agencies, and medical staff members
• High level knowledge of evidence-based practice principles and knowledge translation methodology
• Excellent communication skills
• Able to take initiative and perform job responsibilities at an independent level
• Excellent critical thinking and communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to collaborate and build strong relationships across the organization

Preferred

• Current RN license through the MN State Board of Nursing or other licensed healthcare professional
• Doctorate degree
• Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC)
• University or CDC course work in infection control and/or epidemiology
• Formal training in the principles and methods of evidence-based practice and knowledge translation
• History of interdisciplinary collaboration

Gillette Children’s is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse team, as we know that the diverse experiences of our employees make Gillette a stronger and better organization. We are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment where all patients, families and staff are welcomed and valued. We believe diverse perspectives and identities foster excellence, improve patient care and are essential for Gillette to fulfill its mission. Our team members collaborate to help patients of all backgrounds and abilities reach their full potential.

Gillette Children's is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of an individual's race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation or gender identity, military status or any other class protected by federal, state or local laws.

Gillette Children’s is a global beacon of care for patients with brain, bone and movement conditions that start in childhood. Our research, treatment and supportive technologies enable every child to lead a full life defined by their dreams, not their diagnoses.

To learn more about working at Gillette Children's, please visit https://www.gillettechildrens.org/careers.

Gillette Children's participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify program which is an internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Gillette will give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS or the Social Security Administration (SSA) to resolve the issue before Gillette takes any further action. Please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/ for further details regarding e-verify.