Infection Control Practitioner

Exemption Status:

Schedule Details:

Scheduled Hours:

Shift:

Hours:

Cost Center:

This position may have a signing bonus available a member of the Recruitment Team will confirm eligibility during the interview process.

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver - regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 16,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day.

Major Responsibilities:

• Performs daily and routine surveillance in an accurate and consistent manner according to the surveillance plan outlined in the annual report and as requested by the manager or hospital epidemiologist. Utilizes Centers for Disease Control-NHSN guidelines for classification of nosocomial infections unless otherwise instructed.
• Identifies and reports problems or clusters of infections or colonization related to routine surveillance. In conjunction with the manager and hospital epidemiologist, initiates further investigation and analysis of data. Reviews the literature for most up to date recommendations or approaches to similar problems. Provides follow-up reports and education based on findings.
• Utilizes epidemiologic tools, participates in case-control and other studies as required.
• Assists in the development and maintenance of departmental databases which support the system of focused surveillance.
• Provides on-going observation and review of infection control practices on nursing units/departments and invasive procedure areas as indicated.
• Participates in Environmental Rounds identifying areas for improvement. Makes recommendations to staff and leaders and follows-up to document improvement.
• Contributes in a timely fashion to the review of infection control policies and guidelines ensuring references are the most up to date.
• Provides formal education on principles of infection prevention and control as required for new employees and annually as required by OSHA. Annual education includes important findings from surveillance activities, new policies, and findings from Environmental Rounds.
• Presents educational programs to staff, volunteers, students, satellite agencies, patients and families when needed or required.
• Provides consultation and expertise to various departments to ensure standards and regulations for environmental and dietary sanitation are met. Reviews renovations and construction projects for infection control requirements.

Position Qualifications:

License/Certification/Education:

Required:

Must have either:

• Current or past RN licensure and registration, or Graduate of an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology.
• Certification in Infection Control. If employee does not have it upon hire, it is required to be obtained within one year of employment or employment is terminated.

Experience/Skills:

Required:

• Must have two year's nursing experience in hospital setting.

Preferred:

• Previous experience in Infection Control
• Previous Teaching Hospital experience.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We're striving to make respect a part of everything we do at UMass Memorial Health - for our patients, our community and each other. Our six Standards of Respect are: Acknowledge, Listen, Communicate, Be Responsive, Be a Team Player and Be Kind. If you share these Standards of Respect, we hope you will join our team and help us make respect our standard for everyone, every day.

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, UMass Memorial Health recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at talentacquisition@umassmemorial.org. We will make every effort to respond to your request for disability assistance as soon as possible.