Infection Preventionist

Since its founding in 1947, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts has been committed to providing adults and children with cancer with the best treatment available today while developing tomorrow's cures through cutting-edge research.

Works with the Hospital Epidemiologist and Senior Director Patient Safety to coordinate all aspects of the Infection Control Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) and the Dana Farber/Brigham & Women’s Cancer Center (DFBWCC) to reduce the risks of acquiring and transmitting infections among patients, staff, and visitors. Scope of practice includes meeting the infection control needs of pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients.

**Infection Control Program** * Conduct on-going surveillance using Center of Disease Control (CDC) infection criteria, documentation, and investigation of nosocomial infections through review of admission diagnoses, microbiology culture results, isolation orders, patient records, consultation requests, post-discharge surveillance, and autopsy findings * Apply epidemiologic principles and statistical methods, including risk stratification, to identify target population, analyze trends and risk factors, and design and evaluate prevention and control strategies. * Investigates outbreaks/exposures of communicable diseases and recommends control measures in Hematology/Oncology (Hem/Onc) and Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) inpatients * Coordinates inpatient and outpatient infection control activities for the Hem/Onc/BMT services at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) and satellites, to insure continuity of patient care practices * Performs infection control activities on the Hem/Onc/BMT pods at BWH and the DFCI ambulatory clinics * Recommends isolation precautions as required * Assist in the organization of regularly scheduled hospital Infection Control meetings and dissemination of recommendations hospital-wide * Enforce infection control policies and procedures as designated by the DFCI Infection Control Committee * Initiates quality improvement activities as indicated * Assess environmental control through surveillance of water supply systems as needed and air pressure relationships for high risk environmental monitoring * Conducts environmental rounds at DFCI and BWH * Serves as a resource to the Occupational Health Services (OHS) * Performs periodic analysis of occupational exposures to blood and body fluids in collaborations with OHS and the Biosafety Officer, and recommends change in practice, equipment, etc., as indicated * Monitors infections in staff members * Assures compliance with regulatory agencies * Develop and implement programs in collaboration with the Hospital Epidemiologist and Senior Director, Patient Safety in response to new regulations * Develops infection control policies and procedures and revises them as indicated * Recommend infection control procedural changes and new products * Reports communicable diseases to the Boston Public Health Commission, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and other public health agencies as required * Participates in providing all education activities for infection control which include: * General Orientation, Nurse and Patient Care Services, and Bone Marrow Transplant classes monthly * Providing infection control education to clinical staff, patients, and family members * Collaborates with staff in providing formal and informal patient education **Supervisory Responsibilities:** * None **Patient Contact:** * Adult and pediatric * This is a full time position that alternates call for all DFCI ambulatory sites and DFBWCC inpatient units.

**Minimum Job Qualifications:** * Graduate of an approved school of nursing, medicine, medical technology or public health. BS required, BSN preferred. * Current Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) required * Five years or more of Infection Control in acute care hospital preferred **Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:** * Organizational and interpersonal skills to facilitate teams. * Public speaking skills to present information at meetings and education programs. * Knowledge of regulatory standards including: TJC, OSHA, CDC, CMS and MA Department of Public Health requirements. * Writing skills to prepare manuals, documents, and reports * Knowledge of epidemiology and educational theories * Participate in continuing educational activities at the department, state, and national levels to promote personal growth and maintain a current knowledge base commensurate with latest research and scholarly knowledge * Exhibit an attitude which promotes harmony and goodwill among patients, caregivers, and co-workers. * Enthusiasm for infection control activities.