Infection Control Manager

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Nursing, the Infection Control Manager is responsible for Fenway Health’s Infection Control Program. The Manager will investigate, surveil, control, and prevent  clinic-borne infections in Fenway’s patients and employees.  He/she has the responsibility to educate all levels of clinical personnel and other health care workers regarding best infection control practices.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

1. Directs prevention and control of the transmission of infectious agents

• Develops evidence-based/informed infection prevention and control policies and procedures
• Identifies and implements infection prevention and control strategies and education of staff related to all of the following:

     a. Hand hygiene

     b. Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization practices

     c. Hazardous waste disposal

     d. Hygiene and disinfection of exam rooms and clinic supplies

     e. Appropriate selection, use, and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

     f. Use of patient care products and medical equipment

     g. Specimen collection, transportation, handling, and storage

     h. Immunization programs for patients

      i. Influx of patients with communicable diseases

      j. Principles of safe injection practices

      k. Identifying, implementing, and evaluating elements of Standard Precautions/Routine Practices; monitors and audits data related to hand hygiene and use of PPE

      l. Antimicrobial stewardship 

    m. Infection risks associated with use of medical devices in clinic and during procedures

     n. Recall of potentially contaminated equipment, food, medications, and supplies

     o. Transmission-based precautions and Airborne pathogens protection: adequate mask protection, clinic signage re: airborne pathogen protection

     p. Environmental pathogens and potential outbreaks (i.e. Norovirus)

• Collaborates with relevant groups in planning community/facility responses to biologic threats and disasters

2. Oversees cleaning, sterilization, disinfection, and asepsis procedures

• Provides direct supervision and oversight of the Sterile Supply Technician and Medical Assistants who perform autoclaving 
• Identifies and evaluates appropriate cleaning, sterilization, and disinfection practices
• Collaborates with others to assess products used for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization
• Performs audits of sterilized equipment and evaluates any potential need for reprocessing and/or re-education of staff
• Identifies and evaluates critical steps of disinfection, sterilization, and storage protocols

3. Assists with fulfillment of Environment of Care (EOC) mission of the organization

• Conducts EOC rounds and audits with the Director of Quality Improvement and EOC team
• Recognizes and monitors elements important for a safe care environment
• Assesses infection risks of design, construction, and renovation that impact patient care areas
• Provides recommendations to reduce the risk of infection as part of the design, construction, and renovation process to existing sites
• Collaborates on the evaluation and monitoring of environmental cleaning and disinfection practices and technologies
• Collaborates with others to select and evaluate environmental disinfectant products
• Contributes to the Infection and Exposure Control Plan and annual Risk Assessment

4. Directs Infection Control education and communications

• Leads the integration of prevention activities within and across departments
• Serves as a resource on issues related to infection prevention and control
• Assists in developing staff competencies related to infection control and prevention
• Educates and provides training and in-services for all staff, as appropriate to workplace responsibilities, regarding infection control and prevention guidelines
• Collaborates with the Director of Quality Improvement to evaluate incident reports and opportunities for quality/performance improvement and patient safety
• Reviews Fenway’s Infection Control Program at monthly New Employee Orientation
• Serves as an advisor for the interpretation and compliance monitoring with the Joint Commission and other relevant regulatory agencies

5. Conducts surveillance and epidemiologic investigation

• Designs an infection surveillance program, in collaboration with the Infection Control Committee, based upon the infection prevention risk assessment and regulatory standards
• Collects, compiles, and interprets surveillance data
• Conducts outbreak investigation and communicates feedback
• Monitors infection activity within the community and communicates this to the organization
• Collaborates with IT to design electronic surveillance systems and infection prevention strategies within the EMR
• Monitors sites for infection control safety risks and initiates policies to address new concerns
• Involved in quality measures related to infection control and antibiotic usage and works with teams as needed on improvements around strategic initiatives

6. Develops Infection Control budget, together with the Executive Director of Nursing, the Medical Operations Director, and the Chief Financial Officer

7. Revises and maintains the organization’s infection control policies and procedures

8. Attends all required meetings; these include, but may not be limited to:

• Medical Department Staff Meeting (monthly)
• Fenway Health All-Staff Meeting (monthly)
• Environment of Care Meeting (q1-3 months)
• Infection Control Committee Meeting (q1-3 months)

Requirements

We offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 11 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more.
LGBTQ-identified persons, people of color, and others from historically underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.

Additional Performance Requirements

1. Effectively communicates with patients, co-workers on medical team, in medical department and across departments  

• Ability to read and write in English in order to understand basic safety instructions.
• Demonstrates competency in written, oral, and electronic communication
• Assists in training all Fenway Health personnel

2. Policies and Procedures

• Maintains familiarity with Fenway Health policies and procedures
• Adheres to medical department standards for attendance and professional dress
• Helps maintain a patient centered, safe, and professional work environment

3. Age-Specific Care

• Provides age-specific care per Fenway Health policy

4. Participates in quality improvement initiatives

5. Meets Agency Participatory Expectations

• Suggests and participates in continuing quality improvement efforts
• Participates in quality assessment and improvement activities as requested
• Adheres to established safety policies, procedures and precautions; identifies potential or actual unsafe situations in the environment and takes measures to rectify the situation
• Attends and participates in regularly scheduled staff meetings, in-services, and professional trainings
• Maintains professional competence necessary to perform job responsibilities; maintains and provides agency with records of continuing education activities
• Serves on agency committees and in professional organizations when requested

6. Performs related duties as required

LGBTQIA+ identified persons, people of color, and others from historically underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.