Infection Preventionist
Lawrence, MA
Access Healthcare
3x12 hrs, Days

Job Opportunity: Infection Preventionist (RN or LPN)

Location: Lawrence, Massachusetts
Employment Type: Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Job Summary

The Infection Preventionist (IP) is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and managing the infection prevention program within the facility. The role involves identifying, investigating, and reporting healthcare-associated infections and communicable diseases. The IP collaborates with teams to create and sustain infection prevention strategies, provides ongoing staff training, and ensures compliance with organizational standards, professional guidelines, and regulatory requirements. The IP also supports the Antibiotic Stewardship Program (ASP).

Key Responsibilities

Program Management

• Develop and evaluate infection prevention policies and procedures including surveillance, pandemic preparedness, hand hygiene, standard precautions, outbreak management, and antibiotic stewardship.
• Collect, analyze, and disseminate surveillance data to identify infections and risks.
• Use nationally recognized surveillance criteria (e.g., CDC NHSN, McGeer criteria) to track trends and identify improvement opportunities.
• Ensure ASP compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate annual infection control risk assessments and participate in quality assurance committees.
• Update surveillance plans and infection prevention policies annually or as needed.
• Participate in national collaboratives and external reporting as required.

Education

• Provide infection prevention education at hire, annually, and as needed.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and resource for infection prevention to staff, residents, families, and public health entities.
• Develop competency demonstration processes following training.

Regulatory Compliance

• Comply with local, state, and federal infection prevention reporting requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of CMS, state, and federal regulations and public health guidelines.

Performance Improvement

• Participate in interdisciplinary quality improvement processes.
• Serve on the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) committee and report regularly on infection prevention.

Occupational Health

• Assist in developing occupational health policies related to infection prevention.
• Review and implement best practices to reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases.
• Assist with tracking occupational exposures and immunization/screening programs (e.g., Influenza, TB).
• Apply work restrictions and recommendations following exposures consistent with CDC guidance.

Facility Management

• Conduct environmental rounds to observe infection control compliance in maintenance, ventilation, food preparation, waste disposal, cleaning, and equipment sanitation.

Required Specialty & Experience

• Specialty: Nursing (Infection Preventionist)
• Required Years of Experience: Not explicitly stated; assume minimum experience consistent with Infection Preventionist roles (typically 2+ years in infection control or nursing).

Prior Travel Experience

• No explicit requirement for prior travel experience mentioned.

Additional Notes

• Must adhere to facility policies, maintain professionalism, and consistently report to work prepared.
• Acts as a role model and maintains a positive, respectful attitude.
• Adheres to departmental dress code.

This position is ideal for a healthcare professional with nursing experience interested in infection prevention and control within a contract role.