Career Center

The Infection Preventionist helps to coordinate all aspects of the Infection Control Program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) with the goal of reducing the risks of acquiring and transmitting infections among patients, staff, and visitors. Locations include the inpatient hospital, the Longwood Ambulatory clinics, the Ambulatory Satellites and the Dana-Farber Community Cancer Care sites.?? The scope of practice includes meeting the infection control needs of pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 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 Hem/Onc/BMT inpatients.
• Coordinates inpatient and outpatient infection control activities for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute including the inpatient hospital, the Longwood Ambulatory clinics, the Ambulatory Satellites and the Dana-Farber Community Cancer Care sites.
• 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, air pressure relationships for high risk environmental monitoring
• Conducts environmental rounds in the outpatient and inpatient settings.
• Serves as a resource to the Occupational Health Services.
• 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 Director, Patient Safety & Infection Control 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 MA Department of Public Health and other public health agencies as required.
• 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
• Participates in providing all education activities for infection control which include:
  • General Orientation, Nursing and Patient Care Services, and Bone Marrow Transplant classes monthly,
  • Provides infection control education to clinical staff.
  • Collaborates with staff in providing formal and informal patient education

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:??

• Graduate of an approved school of nursing, medicine, medical technology or public health. BS required, BSN preferred.
• Current CIC certification required within 3 years of hire
• Experience not required. Five years or more of Infection Control experience in an acute care hospital preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of regulatory standards including: TJC, OSHA, CDC, CMS and MA Department of Public Health requirements.
• Knowledge of epidemiology and educational theories.
• Organizational and interpersonal skills to facilitate teams.
• Public speaking skills to present information at meetings and education programs.
• Writing skills to prepare manuals, documents, and reports.
• Exhibit an attitude which promotes harmony and goodwill among patients, caregivers, and co-workers.
• Enthusiasm for infection control activities.
• Maturity, initiative and ability to be self-directed. .
• Proficiency with computer software applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong.?? As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff.?? Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other groups as protected by law.

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