Infection Control Assistant Jobs in Massachusetts

The coordinator is responsible for the leadership of Vaccine Administration and Infection Control functions. The coordinator promotes and maintains infection control standards through direct service and administration based on MA DPH Guidelines and Standards of Practice, as well as CDC guidelines. The coordinator oversees and conducts surveillance for occupational-related exposures, administers a comprehensive immunization program for staff and patients. The coordinator serves as the Infection Control Officer implementing policies and evaluating clinical systems/equipment to detect and prevent infection/contagions.

Program Specific Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides oversight of the Vaccination Administration Program (VAP) to ensure compliance with Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations, applicable standards, and organizational policies.
• Provides general administrative oversight of the DPH component of the Vaccination Administration Program, including coordination, compliance monitoring, documentation, reporting, and quality improvement activities.
• Manages vaccine programs and vaccine inventory for patient and employee vaccinations across all organizational locations. Ensures appropriate vaccine storage, handling, distribution, inventory control, and documentation. May be required to transport and physically supply vaccines to organizational locations using a personal vehicle in accordance with organizational policies and vaccine-handling requirements.
• Plans, coordinates, and implements annual and ongoing patient influenza and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in a responsive and timely manner.
• Collaborates with Employee Health Nursing to establish goals and strategies for employee influenza and COVID-19 vaccination compliance.
• Collaborates with the Employee Health Nurse regarding the development, review, and updating of employee influenza and COVID-19 vaccination policies.
• Collaborates with Population Health to ensure accurate tracking, reporting, and monitoring of employee and patient influenza and COVID-19 vaccination compliance.
• Provides monthly vaccine inventory and related financial reports to the Financial and Accounts Payable departments.
• Conducts routine cost comparisons for privately purchased vaccines and works with appropriate internal departments, manufacturers, distributors, and vendors to ensure the organization obtains vaccines at the most competitive pricing available.
• Maintains ongoing communication and routinely collaborates with external stakeholders, vaccine manufacturers, distributors, vendors, public health agencies, and other community partners regarding vaccine availability, pricing, supply, regulatory requirements, program updates, and best practices.
• Physically attends all Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition (MAIC) adult and pediatric vaccine conferences and other relevant immunization and infection prevention educational programs to maintain current knowledge of vaccine recommendations, regulations, products, and best practices and to communicate applicable updates to organizational staff.
• Directly supervises and manages the Backup Vaccine Coordinator and Vaccine Clinic Nurse, including assigning responsibilities, monitoring performance, providing education, and supporting competency development.
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Infection Control Program and coordinates infection prevention and control activities throughout the organization.
• Organizes and provides infection prevention and control education and presentations at team meetings, provider meetings, Medical Assistant meetings, and Nursing meetings. Promotes evidence-based practices and initiates measures to prevent and control infectious diseases.
• Conducts ongoing infection prevention surveillance, including hand hygiene audits, environmental and infection control observations, identification of trends, and monitoring of compliance with established infection prevention practices. Prepares and communicates surveillance findings and reports to appropriate leadership and staff and recommends corrective actions when indicated.
• Conducts Environment of Care (EOC) rounds and related surveillance activities, documents findings, prepares reports, communicates identified deficiencies to appropriate departments and leadership, and follows up on corrective actions to promote a safe and compliant care environment.
• Provides surveillance, education, and competency assessment related to safe injection practices and other infection prevention procedures. Identifies opportunities for improvement and implements education or corrective actions as needed.
• Monitors infection prevention intervention strategies, including changes in procedures, implementation of new equipment or supplies, medication practices, diagnostic testing, and appropriate use and availability of Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Monitors and investigates clusters of infections or other infectious events that occur above expected levels and initiates appropriate infection prevention and control interventions.
• Investigates individual cases of unusual or epidemiologically significant healthcare-associated or other reportable infections and coordinates appropriate follow-up, documentation, reporting, and preventive measures.
• Responds to employee-related emergency situations and occupational exposures, including needlestick injuries and other blood or body fluid exposures, in collaboration with the Employee Health Nurse and appropriate clinical leadership.
• In collaboration with the Employee Health Nurse, provides counseling, education, and follow-up for employees who experience occupational accidents or exposure to blood or other potentially infectious body fluids.
• Collaborates in coordination of infection prevention and control programs and monitors practices and procedures that may increase the risk of transmission of infectious diseases to patients, employees, or visitors.
• Coordinates the annual and ongoing review, revision, implementation, and dissemination of infection prevention and control policies, procedures, protocols, and educational materials to ensure alignment with current regulatory requirements, evidence-based practices, and organizational standards.
• Presents infection prevention, vaccination, surveillance, and compliance findings and recommendations to appropriate leadership, clinical teams, and staff meetings and supports the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintains current knowledge of DPH requirements, immunization recommendations, infection prevention standards, emerging infectious disease concerns, and applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements; communicates relevant changes to organizational leadership and staff.

Supervisory Responsibility - Will supervise nurses assigned to the Vaccine Clinics.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

One of the following combinations of education and employment experience must be met to be considered for the position:

Education and Experience:

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing required; LPN is minimal certification, RN preferred. Licensed as an LPN or RN by the MA State Board of Registration. BLS is required.

Minimum of five years full-time, professional experience or part-time equivalent. Proven ability to give verbal and written reports. Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. Strong organizational skills and familiarity with Vaccine for Children's Program via DPH, OSHA, and CDC guidelines and regulations are required.

Reporting Relationship: Director of Nursing

EOE

Monday - Friday; 8:30am -5:00pm.