Infection Control Nurse

Overview

The Infection Control Nurse is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the organization’s infection prevention and control program. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and promotes evidence-based practices to prevent and control healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) across the organization. Under the supervision of the Director of Quality and Risk Management and in collaboration with the Medical Director of Infection Control and Antibiotic Stewardship, this role is responsible for development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive Infection Control Program throughout Sturdy Health in accordance with the Massachusetts Nursing Practice Act, DNV, CDC, CMS, OSHA and other state and nationally organized agencies’ infection control requirements and recommendations.

Education/Training

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required
• Master’s degree in nursing, Public Health, or related field preferred
• 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.

Licenses/Certification

• Current Registered Nurse Massachusetts licensure
• Certification in Infection Control (C.I.C.) preferred

Required Qualifications And Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in clinical nursing experience.
• Strong knowledge of infection prevention principles, epidemiology, and regulatory standards
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and develop action plans
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to educate and influence staff at all levels of the organization
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
• Proficiency with electronic health records and data reporting tools

Preferred Qualifications And Skills

• Prior experience in infection prevention, quality, or public health preferred.
• Experience supporting DNV, CMS, state and other regulatory surveys
• Familiarity with NHSN reporting and other infection surveillance systems
• Experience participating in outbreak investigations and root cause analyses
• Knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship principles
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret surveillance and clinical data
• Effective educator and presenter with experience training multidisciplinary teams
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; ability to influence without authority
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced hospital environment
• Strong written communication skills for policy development and regulatory reporting
• Demonstrated judgment, discretion, and professionalism

Essential Job Functions

• Develops, implements, and maintains the hospital-wide Infection Prevention and Control Program.
• Conducts active surveillance of HAIs, communicable diseases, and epidemiologically significant organisms (e.g., MDROs,
  
  C. difficile, SSIs, CLABSIs, CAUTIs).
• Investigates suspected or confirmed infection outbreaks; leads root cause analysis and implements corrective and preventive actions.
• Analyzes infection data, identifies trends, and prepares reports for Quality, Medical Executive, Infection Control, and Performance Improvement Committees.
• Provides real-time consultation to clinical leadership, physicians, nursing staff, EVS, and ancillary departments regarding infection prevention practices.
• Oversees compliance with isolation precautions, hand hygiene, PPE use, sterilization, high-level disinfection, and environmental cleaning standards.
• Reviews, develops, and updates infection prevention policies and procedures in alignment with regulatory and evidence-based standards.
• Supports regulatory surveys and audits (DNVDPH, CMS), including preparation, on-site support, and corrective action planning.
• Collaborates with Employee Health on exposure management, immunization compliance, and communicable disease follow-up.
• Participates in emergency preparedness and response activities related to infectious disease events and public health emergencies.
• Educates hospital staff, providers, patients, and visitors on infection prevention policies and best practices.
• Performs…