Massachusetts Veterans Jobs

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Job Type:

Regular

Scheduled Hours:

40

Work Shift:

Day (United States of America)

Job Description:

Position Summary: The Infection Control Preventionist (IP) is responsible for the implementation and review of the health care facility’s infection prevention and control program. Under general supervision, the IP is responsible for the prevention, investigation, monitoring and reporting of infections. The IP uses nationally accepted evidence-based guidelines such as Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to recommend, implement and monitor best practices for preventing infections in patients, families, colleagues and others who enter the health care facility.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities including but not limited to:

-Establishes, implements and administers departmental goals, objectives, policies and procedures;

-Collects, analyzes and interprets data on hospital-acquired infections (HAI);

-Reviews laboratory reports and communicates possible communicable disease issues/problems with affected areas of the hospital;

-Establishes standards of infection control practice that is scientifically based and consistent with local, state, and national regulatory requirements;

-Reports HAI data and statistical analysis to appropriate departments and committees, e.g. senior leadership, appropriate managers, Infection Prevention and Control Committee, and Quality and Safety Committee;

-Conducts ongoing review and development of policies, procedures and relevant guidelines related to infection, prevention and control;

-Conducts review of the medical products and engineering control required for infection control safety standards;

-Reviews hospital’s event reporting system and analyzes entries to address patient safety and employee concerns. Actively collaborates with risk management team to identify trends;

-Conducts surveillance of hospital acquired infections and other infections that are important from epidemiologic standpoint

-Complies with all requirements of mandatory reporting to the state and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) through the National Health and Safety Network (NHSN);

-Ensures compliance with regulations and requirements from CMS, The Joint Commission, and other accrediting health care organizations and state regulations;

-This position also requires active participation during Joint Commission surveys and other inspections by regulatory agencies;

-Provides education and training related to infection prevention and control to colleagues and others, e.g. licensed independent practitioner (LIP);

-Provides educational materials regarding prevention of various types of infections and prevention strategies for patients and their families as needed;

-Initiates and conducts outbreak investigations of communicable and hospital acquired infections;

-Interacts/Collaborates with other hospital departments and services including outpatient ambulatory clinics e.g. Nursing, Environmental Services, Maintenance and Engineering, Food Services, Procedural Areas, Surgical Services and others, to provide resource information, resolve infection control problems and issues, and identify risks for infection and opportunities for improvement;

-Provides infection prevention and control services to special patient population such as Transplant, Bone marrow transplant, and Hospital at Home;

-Functions successfully as an active member of selected interdisciplinary committees;

-Actively participates in the multidisciplinary Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) process for construction and renovation activities, focusing on reduction of risk for infection. Considers ICRA elements including process for design, construction, and mitigation activities;

-Collaborates with Employee Health Services regarding relevant issues including follow-up of potential and confirmed exposures, Sharps Safety, Respiratory Protection Program, Colleague Influenza Vaccination Program, and other infection control activities related to Employee Health;

-Assists with the coordination of the annual infection control risk assessment in conjunction with the Infection Prevention and Control Committee. (IP&CC);

-Assists with the development and implementation of the annual infection prevention and control plan based on the risk assessment in conjunction with the IP&CC;

-Evaluates the annual plan for goal achievement in conjunction with the IP&CC;

-Coordinates the agenda and materials for the Infection Prevention and Control Committee Meeting;

-Works in cooperation with local and state health departments to investigate, communicate, and report relevant infectious conditions, as appropriate;

Responds to issues, inquiries and communications related to infection prevention and control in a timely manner;

-Serves as an infection prevention and control resource for healthcare providers, members of the community, outside agencies and others;

-Prepares reports and statistical data for the IP&CC, medical staff committees, hospital leadership, and others. As needed;

-Participates in product evaluation process related to prevention of infection;

-Conducts research to document information on infection prevention and control problems/issues;

-Participates in community infection control issues through outreach to/from facilities and practitioners

-Participates in activities related to emergency management and infection prevention and control;

-Participates in ongoing process improvement projects related to infection prevention and control;.

Organizational Requirements:

• Maintains strict adherence to the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center (LHMC) Confidentiality Policy.

• Incorporates LHMC Guiding Principles, Mission Statement and Goals into daily activities.

• Complies with all LHMC policies.

• Complies with behavioral expectations of the department and LHMC.

• Maintains courteous and effective interactions with colleagues and patients.

• Demonstrates an understanding of the job description, performance expectations, and competency assessment.

• Demonstrates a commitment toward meeting and exceeding the needs of our customers and consistently adheres to Customer Service standards.

• Participates in departmental and/or interdepartmental quality improvement activities.

• Participates in and successfully completes Mandatory Education.

• Performs all other duties as needed or directed to meet the needs of the department.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, Medical Technology or other appropriate health care related field.

Licensure, Certification, Registration: Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Commonwealth of Massachusetts or a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology, biological science, or related area, or equivalency; ASCP registration is required for Medical Technology. Certification in Infection Control (CIC) from the Certification Board of Infection Control required or achieved within two years in the position.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Display proficiency in computer and software skills

• Uses information management systems for data entry and retrieval, data collection and organization, data analysis and interpretation

Experience: 5 years of experience in hospital infection control or related field preferred

FLSA Status:

Exempt

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Learn more (https://www.bilh.org/newsroom/bilh-to-require-covid-19-influenza-vaccines-for-all-clinicians-staff-by-oct-31) about this requirement.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled