Director of Infection Prevention & Control
Tufts Medicine
- Boston, MA
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Expert knowledge of current regulation, research and evidence in leading interventions that support the IP program and annual Plan.
- Works closely with the Hospital Epidemiologist on development of the annual Infection Control Plan. Evaluates and monitors the Plan as necessary.
- Leads The Joint Commission and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services IP strategy for ongoing regulatory compliance.
- Leads investigatory processes involving patients, visitor and employee exposure to infectious diseases and follows-up with appropriate infection control procedures. Monitors organizational compliance with infection control procedures.
- Expert consultant for nursing and medical staff. Leads and coordinates necessary epidemiological investigation, makes recommendations for improvement. Collaborates with relevant departments and Infection Prevention staff to implement and monitor improvements.
- Leads the IP nursing team in recognizing outbreaks of healthcare associated infections in the hospital and ambulatory settings. Leads through review processes including cultures, medical records.
- Oversees the development of all infection control policies and procedures for the medical center and departments including Occupational Health and Safety using published guidelines, standards, and research.
- Demonstrates high degree of analytic competency in managing the team: demonstrates competency in use of surveillance data and reports using statistical methods and tools including application of the standard infection ratio (SIR), risk assessment tools and hazard vulnerability analysis.
- Serves as an expert consultant on performance improvement teams and committees.
- Oversees training curriculum program for all staff in IP principles consistent with regulatory guidelines.
- Evaluates infection control aspects of patient care products, equipment, and supplies.
- Oversees management of ICRA process in collaboration with Design and Construction. Monitors compliance.
- Collaborates with Emergency Management, Safety Officer, and Supply Chain to ensure adherence with infection control policies and procedures.
- Actively supports the agenda for the Infection Control Committee.
- Works closely with the IP Nursing team to coordinate reporting to the Department of Public Health (DPH) e.g. communicable diseases to appropriate local and state health departments and agencies.
- Maintains competency in the evolving field of infection prevention through leadership: networking, publications, collaboratives and certifications.
- Performs other job related duties as required.
- A Bachelors Degree in nursing, public health, epidemiology or a related field is required. Formal training in epidemiology/infection prevention desirable.
- Masters degree in Epidemiology/Public Health/Patient Safety or related field preferred.
- Experience performing surveillance for health care associated infections including some experience with the use of infection control software or other databases preferred. Familiarity with NHSN reporting rules required.
- Recent administrative experience in acute care hospital/ambulatory setting preferred.
- Analytical abilities needed to apply and use surveillance data and reported using statistical methods and tools. Uses data to identify problem areas and formulate recommendations for improvement.
- Must possess interpersonal skills sufficient to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with physicians, nurses, and a variety of medical center personnel, and to provide formal instruction.
- Certification in Infection Control when eligible.
- Reports directly to the Executive Director of Quality and Patient Safety.
- Reports indirectly to the Hospital Epidemiologist (dotted line reporting).
- Interacts regularly with senior leaders, physicians, nurses, managers and personnel from various departments as well as with representatives from state and local agencies.
- Exposure to various diseases and infections.