Infection Preventionist

Job Details Job Location: New Bedford, MA 02740 Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: $72,155.00 - $100,360.00 per year Job Category: Nurse Position Overview Under the supervision of the Chief Clinical Operations Officer (CCOO), the Infection Control/Employee Health Nurse is responsible for managing Employee Health and Infection Prevention/Control functions at New Bedford Community Health (NBCH). Responsibilities Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization. Establish standard methods of care, utilizing evidence-based practice and best practice standards. Collaborate with department leaders to establish and implement infection control and employee health orientation programs. Create and revise policies and procedures related to infection control and employee health. Maintain complete and accurate employee health records to ensure regulatory compliance for NBCH, following HIPAA guidelines and staff confidentiality protocols. Coordinate the development and implementation of all employee health initiatives and programs, working with Human Resources on pre-employment and onboarding processes. Manage pre-employment testing and vaccination processes, annual N95/TB/Influenza testing and/or vaccinations, and the handling of potential blood exposures, employee illnesses, and disease outbreaks. Participate as an integral team member, collaborating with Safety Officer, Human Resources, Quality Director, and other departments to advocate for employee health and safety. Use epidemiological principles and statistical methods to design, implement, and evaluate infection prevention and control strategies. Provide consultation and education to staff, physicians, and community leaders regarding Infection Prevention & Control. Coordinate with the Safety Committee to determine the direction of surveillance activities and evaluate the effectiveness of the Infection Prevention and Control Plan annually. Conduct risk assessments at least annually and as needed, considering served populations, regional vulnerabilities, and new or emerging infectious diseases. Notify the County and/or State Health Department of any reportable diseases, adhering to all internal county and state procedures. Develop and implement continuously improved patient care procedures and control mechanisms related to quality, compliance, and infectious diseases. Participate in infection prevention and control education of all employees during orientation and annually thereafter, including classes in infection prevention and control practices and employee health. Ensure infection prevention and control procedures meet county, state, CMS, and CDC regulations, standards, or guidelines. Organize Safety/Infection Prevention and Control Committee meetings and maintain all meeting minutes. Collaborate with the Director of Compliance on HRSA compliance and Ryan White Services, including planning and supporting quarterly risk assessments. Perform additional duties as assigned, such as supporting the clinical team with nursing duties. Clinical time will be included in the role. Qualifications Detail oriented and capable of exploring innovative solutions to solve complex problems and address issues through a combination of delivered and custom-developed tools. Ability to compile, code, and categorize, or verify information/data. Strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Ability to determine appropriate course of action in complex situations. Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, and maintain a positive attitude. Ability to manage multiple simultaneous responsibilities and prioritize scheduling of work. Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information. Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner. Ability to communicate effectively, with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to handle difficult situations involving patients, physicians, or others in a professional manner. Education Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) strongly preferred; minimum requirement: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Experience Minimum 3-5 years of experience working as a nurse. Knowledge of infectious disease principles, sterilization, and disinfection practices. Training in infection surveillance and control preferred. Certification / Licensure Current nursing license (RN or LPN) for the state of Massachusetts. Certified in CPR/BLS. Obtain Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) certification within two years as an Infection Control/Employee Health Nurse. Software / Hardware Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.). Experience working with electronic health records is required. #J-18808-Ljbffr