Infection Preventionist

Job Type: Regular

Time Type: Full time

Work Shift: Day (United States of America)

FLSA Status: Exempt

When you join the growing BILH team, you're not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives.

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.

Job Description:

Job Responsibilities:
1) 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. (essential)
2) 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. (essential)
3) Perform direct observation of basic infection prevention practices, including staff hand hygiene. Document appropriately and communicate identified issues with infection prevention leadership, as necessary. (essential)
4) Work towards completion of training in NHSN healthcare-associated infection surveillance including CLABSI, CAUTI, and SSI. (essential)
5) 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. (essential)
6) Assist other IPs with Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRAs) for construction and maintenance projects within the environment of care. (essential)
7) Assist other IPs and/or Medical Directors with the preparation of data or information for meetings including performing data collection, analysis, and literature reviews.
8) 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.
9) Compete required training and education including assigned readings, online courses, and in-person training sessions as determined by IPC leadership.
10) 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. Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
1. Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in Infection Prevention, Nursing, Public Health, Epidemiology, or Statistics preferred
2. Licensed Registered Nurse preferred
3. No previous work experience in infection control and prevention required
4. 0-3 years of work experience preferred
5. Professional licensure in related field (RN, MT, etc.) must be maintained as active, if applicable
6. Advanced skills with the Microsoft Office suite applications and/or other web-based applications
7. Detail oriented, critical thinker, effective communicator with analytical abilities and strong interpersonal skills

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 about this requirement.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled