Infection Preventionist

Beth Israel Lahey Health - Cambridge, MA

Full-time - Entry Level

Cambridge, MA

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

Under the general supervision of Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) leadership, the IP1 position is an entry level position within the department with a goal of acquiring knowledge and skills in the field and is the first step in the four-level career ladder from Novice to Expert. The IP1 participates in the Infection Prevention program by assisting the IP2-4s and Medical Directors in daily infection prevention activities. Key job functions include routine infection prevention surveillance, including for healthcare-associated infections, reporting required infections to the department of public health (DPH); and direct observation of infection prevention practices, including hand hygiene. Those in the IP1 position will be trained in the field through self-study, formal teaching sessions, observation of practice, mentorship, and sponsored training activities.

Responsibilities

• Under supervision of IP3-4 and/or IPC leadership, perform surveillance on DPH reportable diseases, and report to city and/or state agencies as required.
• Under supervision of IP3-4 and/or IPC leadership, perform surveillance on multidrug resistant organisms and communicate with care teams to appropriately isolate the patient, as needed.
• Perform direct observation of basic infection prevention practices, including staff hand hygiene. Document appropriately and communicate identified issues with infection prevention leadership, as necessary.
• Work towards completion of training in NHSN healthcare-associated infection surveillance including CLABSI, CAUTI, and SSI.
• Assist primary IP assigned to a particular unit and/or service line with unit rounding, surveillance, and unit-based staff education and in-servicing in both inpatient and outpatient locations.
• Assist other IPs with Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRAs) for construction and maintenance projects within the environment of care.
• Assist other IPs and/or Medical Directors with the preparation of data or information for meetings including performing data collection, analysis, and literature reviews.
• Progress from assisting more senior IPs with answering questions from staff and physicians to serving as an infection prevention consultant with supervision of senior IPs or Medical Directors.
• Complete required training and education including assigned readings, online courses, and in-person training sessions as determined by IPC leadership.
• Maintain strict adherence to confidentiality policies and demonstrate good judgment by asking for assistance from senior IPs, departmental leadership, and/or Medical Directors, as appropriate.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Master's degree in Infection Prevention, Nursing, Public Health, Epidemiology, or Statistics preferred.
• Licensed Registered Nurse preferred.
• No previous work experience in infection control and prevention required.
• 0-3 years of work experience preferred.
• Professional licensure in related field (RN, MT, etc.) must be maintained as active, if applicable.
• Advanced skills with the Microsoft Office suite applications and/or other web-based applications.
• Detail oriented, critical thinker, effective communicator with analytical abilities and strong interpersonal skills.

Benefits

• Health care organization responsibilities to care for and protect patients, colleagues, and communities.
• Vaccination against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 as a condition of employment.