West Virginia University School of Medicine

System Healthcare Epidemiologist

West Virginia University School of Medicine and the Department of Medicine seeks an Infectious Disease trained physician to serve as the new System Healthcare Epidemiologist for WVU Medicine. This is an exceptional leadership opportunity for a physician with an unwavering commitment to excellence in clinical care excellence, quality, education, and research.

SUMMARY:

The successful candidate for this position will lead our systemwide Infection Prevention Program as the System Healthcare Epidemiologist. They will also practice in the area of Infectious Diseases (ID). Clinical responsibilities will include a mix of ID inpatient, outpatient, and telehealth service. In addition to providing excellent patient care, the successful candidate will also be actively involved in teaching medical students, residents, and fellows. Candidate will also be expected to participate in scholarly activities, and practice in Morgantown, WV. This position will report to the health system’s Chief Quality Officer. Allocation of time: This position is expected to require 60% administrative effort and 40% clinical effort.

The adult ID Division has 14 faculty with diverse expertise, skills, and experience. We also have excellent advanced practice providers (APPs) who work closely with ID faculty and fellows. Areas of expertise/focus include healthcare epidemiology, musculoskeletal infections, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, C, antimicrobial stewardship, Transplant ID, OPAT, CopAT and global health. Our ID Division has an active fellowship program with 100% ID Board pass rate.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Provide leadership for the Infection Prevention Programs at WVU Medicine facilities and maintain accountability for system goals with regards to healthcare associated infections.
2. Oversee a system-wide concurrent surveillance program to identify and monitor healthcare-associated infections.
3. Identify and investigate potential outbreaks and initiate appropriate infection control measures designed to prevent infection of patients, employees, and visitors at system hospitals.
4. Work collaboratively with the System Chief Quality Officer (CQO), the WVU Hospital Epidemiologist and other senior leaders to reduce healthcare associated infections.
5. Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate policies to minimize the risk of HAIs and to protect healthcare workers.
6. Develop and implement interventions to reduce the risk of HAIs to the irreducible minimum.
7. Promote the professional development of the Infection Preventionists across the system.
8. Assist the Chief Quality Officer in recognizing potential barriers to system implementation.
9. Collaborate with the Employee Health Service to develop policies related to the prevention of infectious diseases following occupational exposures.
10. Collaborate with the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.
11. Develop interdisciplinary educational programs on infection prevention for providers, staff, and trainees at WVU Medicine.
12. Chair the WVU Medicine Infection Prevention Quality Affinity Group.
13. Engage in scholarship related to infection prevention and disseminate results through presentations and publications to augment the regional and national reputation of WVU Medicine.
14. Perform other related tasks identified by the Chief Quality Officer.

Skills Required:

1. Ability to manage, teach, motivate, and generate enthusiasm for infection prevention initiatives.
2. Demonstrated ability to supervise successful projects and teams to meet deadlines.
3. Excellent oral and written presentation skills and the ability to listen and communicate with individuals at all levels.
4. Understand and be able to represent the needs and goals of WVU Medicine and its components, including the Hospital Division and Professional Services Division.

ABOUT US:

As a land-grant institution, the faculty, staff, and students at WVU commit to creating a diverse and inclusive culture that advances education, healthcare, and prosperity for all by providing access and opportunity; by advancing high-impact research; and by leading transformation in West Virginia and the world through local, state, and global engagement. WVU is proud to hold R1 research classification, the highest research activity as described by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

WVU Medicine is West Virginia University’s affiliated health system, West Virginia’s largest private employer, and a national leader in patient safety and quality. The WVU Health System is comprised of a network of 25 hospitals and clinics, anchored by its flagship hospital, J.W Ruby Memorial in Morgantown, an 881-bed academic medical center that offers tertiary and quaternary care. The WVU Medicine System, has more than 33,000 employees; 4,000 clinicians; and serves hundreds of thousands of people annual from across our region and the nation with more than 4.5 million patient visits annually.

Morgantown, WV is the quintessential college town, with Division I Big 12 sports, diverse cultural and arts activities, world-famous outdoor recreation, excellent schools, and stunning geography. Located a short 1-hour drive south of Pittsburgh and 3-hours from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD, Morgantown is consistently rated as one of the best small metropolitan areas in the country for both lifestyle and business climate. The city offers the cultural diversity and amenities of a much large city in a safe, family-friendly environment, an excellent school system, a strong economy, and an abundance of beautiful neighborhoods and year-round recreational activities.

NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS:

Applications should be accompanied by a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and references. Review of applications will begin immediately. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their documents in confidence to the following:   

Michael Stevens, MD | WVU Health System | System Chief Quality Officer | mike.stevens@wvumedicine.org | 304-581-1838

Joseph Lombardi | WVU Medicine | Sr. Physician Recruiter | joseph.lombardi1@wvumedicine.org | 724-678-9234 

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.

JR25-04708

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 Education, Certification, and/or Licensure

• Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy from an accredited medical school required.
• Successful completion of an Internal Medicine or Pediatric Residency Program, as well as an infectious diseases fellowship program.
• Board Certification/eligibility by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association in adult or pediatric Infectious Disease required.
• Hold or able to obtain medical licensure in the State of West Virginia by start date.
• Meets all qualifications for active clinical staff privileges at WVU Hospitals is required prior to start date.
• Additional training in healthcare epidemiology via epidemiology fellowship and/or advanced degree required.
• Meet criteria for appointment at the Assistant, Associate Professor or Professor level in the School of Medicine.

Experience:

• Two years post-training clinical experience in a healthcare setting.
• Two years’ experience as a Hospital Epidemiologist or Associate Hospital Epidemiologist in an academic medical center.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

 Experience:

• Experience as a Hospital Epidemiologist overseeing a health system.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Must be able to travel to system hospitals for on-site work.

About West Virginia University Health System (WVU Medicine)

The West Virginia University Health System is West Virginia’s largest health system and the state’s largest employer with more than 3,000 licensed beds, 4,000 providers, approximately 30,000 employees, and more than $5 billion in total operating revenues. The WVU Health System is comprised of a large medical group, 6 institutes and 24 hospitals in 5 states– including its flagship hospital, J.W Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, a 700+ bed academic medical center that offers tertiary and quaternary care, and the 150-bed WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia. WVU Medicine is a nationally recognized health system proudly serving communities in 5 Mid-Atlantic states. We are ranked 1st for healthcare in West Virginia by U.S. News and World Report and ranked 31st among hospitals nationally on the Forbes list of “America’s Best Large Employers 2023.”An R1 designated research university, WVU Medicine is dedicated to responding to today’s health issues and conducting research to combat the problems of tomorrow. Our award-winning academic health system is nationally recognized and continuously ranked for our high quality, groundbreaking research, and the world-c...lass medical care we bring to West Virginia and surrounding region as the state’s only comprehensive academic health sciences center—where students, healthcare professionals and scientists work together to build a healthier future.

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