Infection Preventionist II

About the position MCD Global Health is a nonprofit global health organization recognized in the United States and around the world as a leader, innovator, and trusted partner. Our Vision & Mission: We envision a world in which all people have access to high quality and enduring solutions to improve and maintain their health and well-being. MCD aspires to be a premier partner of choice and an internationally recognized leader, innovator, and trusted partner in applied, cross-national public health solutions. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of people worldwide through enduring, high-quality, cost-effective, and universally accessible public health solutions. We are looking for an Infection Preventionist II to directly support the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The mission of the Healthcare Epidemiology Program is to work to reduce and prevent Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) by collaborating with federal and state stakeholders across the healthcare continuum, and the public. Objectives of the program include 1) responding to healthcare facility public health threats such as outbreaks related to medical devices or procedures and emerging/re-emerging pathogens that express a high resistance to antimicrobial agents or have the ability to spread quickly (e.g. Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, carbapenemase producing organisms, Candida auris); 2) conducting surveillance or accessing data relevant to HAI and AR; and 3) use that data to reduce and prevent HAIs and AR in Maine by working directly with healthcare facilities and stakeholders. The successful candidate will bring experience in Infection Prevention and Control in a hospital setting and experience leading HAI outbreak investigations. Certification in Infection Control (CIC) through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) also required. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a diverse team focused on improving public health in Maine.

Responsibilities

• Serve as subject matter expert in infection prevention and control, HAI/AR surveillance, quality assurance, and performance improvement.
• Train and mentor other program staff in elements of infection prevention and control.
• Support antibiotic stewardship, utilization, and resistance efforts.
• Independently lead the work of a program activity/project (e.g., containment and prevention of eMDROs, investigation and response of outbreaks or flagged reports, provide HAI/AR support in the outpatient hemodialysis setting, develop frontline health care worker education and training, enhance the use of NHSN).
• Collaborate with and provide back-up coverage for the Department Program Manager.
• Analyze HAI and AR data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Independently lead performance improvement collaboratives.
• Provide mentorship, support, and back-up to other program staff.
• Assess health care facility Infection Prevention and Control practices, both for prevention purposes and in response to outbreaks.
• Conduct outbreak investigations in accordance with Department protocols.
• Assist Department Program Manager with the development and updating of Department protocols.
• Assist Department Program Manager with program quality assurance and performance improvement.
• Chair State HAI/AR Workgroup(s) and Committees.
• Represent the program on various internal and external workgroups/meetings.
• Conduct outreach with state stakeholders and healthcare facility/services leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• At least five years’ experience in Infection Prevention and Control, in a hospital setting.
• Experience leading HAI outbreak investigations in healthcare facilities.
• Experience leading performance improvement activities.
• Familiarity with federal Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) infection prevention and control guidelines and requirements, respectively, for healthcare facilities.
• Bachelor of Science degree in a clinical profession (e.g., Registered Nurse, Medical Technologist).
• Must be a citizen of the United States of America, able to provide proof of residency, and able to obtain a federal Level 1 security clearance through the Secure Access Management Services (SAMS) for use of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), a federal HAI and AR database.
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC).
• Experience in quality assurance/performance improvement, including but not limited to conducting gap analysis and developing action plans.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Nice-to-haves

• Masters’ level degree.
• Experience in Infection Prevention and Control practices in services lines such as Dialysis, Ambulatory Surgery, Wound Clinics, Nursing Homes, etc.
• Knowledge and experience in antimicrobial resistance (AR), antimicrobial stewardship (AS), and emerging Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (eMDROs).
• Familiarity with state Health Alert Network.

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