• Employment Type: Full Time
• Shift: Days
• Hours: 8-5
• Location: Boston, MA

Reports to the Executive Director of Quality and Patient Safety and is responsible for the strategic planning, implementation and monitoring of the organization-wide Infection Prevention (IP) program and Plan. This includes but is not limited to:

Oversight of the surveillance program for health care associated and community acquired infections in patients and employees.

Working in conjunction with the Hospital Epidemiologist, provides leadership and strategic direction for the prevention and control response in addressing healthcare associated infections in the inpatient and outpatient settings.

Functions as an expert consultant, influence leader and advisor to medical staff, senior leadership, and medical center personnel to solve infection control related problems and ensure compliance with regulation across the medical center. Develops and leads Ambulatory strategy in conjunction with inpatient infection control program that supports recommendation from the CDC in these settings. Demonstrates expert competency in the domains of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) model for Infection Preventionists (IP).

The Director serves as a role model and mentor who demonstrates knowledge in project management and Epidemiologic research. In this role the Director will provide leadership and guidance in overseeing research projects, will evaluate research and integrate evidence-based practices into policies and guidelines as part of the overall IP strategic plan. He/she will be expected to apply extensive expertise and in-depth knowledge of epidemiologic research and will be expected to contribute to study content and documentation. Together with the Hospital Epidemiologist, the Director will supervise the Infectious Disease Fellows and contribute to research.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• 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.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

• 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.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Exposure to various diseases and infections.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Tufts Medical Center reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

COVID-19 POLICY:

Please note that effective October 1, 2021, as a condition of employment at Tufts Medical Center, all employees and new hires must have received their complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, unless they have been granted an exemption.