Infection Preventionist

Opportunities with Reliant Medical Group, part of the Optum family of businesses. Join a community-based, multi-specialty, physician-led organization where you will work with talented peers on a common purpose: improving the quality, cost and experience of health care. Here, we focus on delivering the best patient care, rather than volume. Through innovation and superior care management, we support patients and your well-being as a team member. Join a team at the forefront of value-based care and discover the meaning behind Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Under the direction of the Infection Control Director, coordinates and provides technical support for implementation, surveillance, collection of data, analysis, reporting and formulation/ review of policies and procedures. Is accountable for the site-based Infection Control programs. Serves as an internal consultant on infection control issues, concerns and questions. Participates in employee education programs (orientation, annual review and others requested). Essential to this work is the direct line of communication maintained between Reliant Medical Group and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and local Public Health agencies.

Location: Reliant Medical Group, a Part of Optum: 100 North Parkway Worcester, MA

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm (40 hours)

Travel: Worcester, Shrewsbury, Leominster, Auburn, Framingham, Southborough, Westborough, Holden, Webster, Natick, Newton

Primary Responsibilities:

• Supports the Infection Control Director to maintain Reliant Medical Group organization wide infection control program, which complies with or exceeds corporate and regulatory guidelines
• Monitors compliance with policies and procedures through a variety of methods including clinical department and site audits and data collection. Communicates information and coordinates activities related to infection control program policies and procedures, training, documentation and record-keeping
• Contributes to short-term and long term goals for the infection control program across Reliant Medical Group, working with managers and frontline staff through visits to the practice sites (estimated 30-40% of the time) to inspect and educate on the topic of Infection Control standards
• Utilizes the EPIC electronic medical record system to review reports and information on patients with suspected or confirmed infectious disease to implement workflows and post-exposure surveillance and information later shared with the Occupational/Employee Health team
• Attends meetings and collaborates with the Infection Control team of Atrius Health and Reliant Medical Group (Optum Massachusetts) as a representative of the program and as required in his/her area of expertise
• Develops and standardizes infection control policies and procedures as it relates to infection control including but not limited to cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization practices, hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, and infectious disease surveillance and exposure protocols
• Coordinates and facilitates activities needed to fulfill assigned project objectives
• Identifies need to modify schedules and plans and works with management to ensure project goals are met. Confers with project personnel to provide technical advice and resolve problems
• Identifies primary and peripheral stakeholders and ensures needs are met during the planning, implementation, testing and evaluation phase of project
• Prepares reports and updates for management on progress. May prepare and deliver formal presentations on project status or lead group meetings. Creates and/or updates written material and documentation related to project work. When applicable, may assist in user training and project rollout communications
• Maintains regular communication with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and local boards of health, representing Reliant Medical Group on all Infection Control related issues. Represents Reliant Medical Group with MDPH and other public health agencies to report positive lab test results and respond to any specific questions. These communications with MDPH occur multiple times each day to review positive test results and articulate the organization's response, if necessary
• Assists in development of Infection Control training content for new hire orientation and other training programs as necessary
• Serves as internal consultant to employees on infection control issues. Answers questions, conducts research, collects surveillance information and generally assists all practice sites to incorporate infection control principles in current policies and procedures or practices and to provide a safe environment for patients, personnel and visitors
• Participates in the annual evaluation of the infection control program and development of corrective action plans, if warranted, as well as goals for the succeeding year
• Participates as an Assessor in the Practice Health & Safety Annual Assessment process, which involves: having a working understanding of best practices for clinical safety, walking through clinical sites to conduct assessments, documenting the results of such assessments into database, working with staff and managers to complete corrective action plans when necessary, and documenting completion of those corrective action plans
• Complies with health and safety requirements and with regulatory agencies such as Massachusetts DPH, etc.
• Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives
• Enhances professional growth and development through educational programs, seminars, etc.
• Attends a variety of meetings, conferences, and seminars as required or directed
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed
• Regular, reliable and predicable attendance is required

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• 3+ years of relevant experience in a similar position
• Bachelors' degree in Health Care Administration, Nursing, or Public Health (or equivalent education, training or expertise)
• Proven excellent oral and written communication skills and excellent project management and research skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams
• Proven excellent analytic, interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to develop and execute complex work plans with substantial independence
• Ability to use all electronic tools and applications relevant to the performance of the duties of the position, including but not limited to phone, keyboard, computer and computer applications
• Ability to performs all job functions in compliance with applicable federal, state, local and company policies and procedures
• Highly skilled in use of desktop software including Excel and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications:

• CIC (Board Certification in Infection Control)
• Demonstrated background in infection surveillance, prevention and control measures; Nursing, Epidemiology Principles; or Infectious Diseases
• Experience in health care

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.