Job Description 

Tewksbury Hospital, part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), is seeking a dynamic Infection Specialist Nurse (RN) to play an essential role in safeguarding patients, staff, and visitors by leading the hospital’s Infection Prevention and Control Program. This position is responsible for identifying, monitoring, and preventing the spread of infectious diseases within the facility while ensuring compliance with all regulatory and accreditation standards. Through collaboration with hospital leadership, clinical teams, and regulatory agencies, this role drives infection control initiatives, conducts risk assessments, and develops strategies to mitigate healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

With a strong focus on education, policy development, and surveillance, the Infection Specialist Nurse serves as a key resource for infection prevention protocols and patient safety measures. Responsibilities include developing and implementing infection-related policies, overseeing staff education and training, and leading the hospital’s infection-related employee health initiatives. This role also plays a vital part in quality improvement efforts, partnering with key stakeholders such as infectious disease physicians, pharmacy teams, and executive leadership to enhance patient outcomes and support a culture of safety.

Please Note:  This position works Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, days.

Employees in this position will be required to work mandatory overtime.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

·         Lead the hospital’s Infection Prevention and Control Program by developing, implementing, and maintaining policies, procedures, and protocols in compliance with federal, state, and regulatory standards.

·         Conduct infection surveillance, outbreak investigations, contact tracing, and risk assessments to mitigate healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and ensure timely reporting to local, state, and national agencies.

·         Collaborate with hospital leadership, clinical teams, and infectious disease specialists to develop and execute infection prevention strategies, including antibiotic stewardship and patient-specific precautions.

·         Oversee staff education and competency-based training on infection control practices, collaborating with the Education Leader to ensure adherence to current guidelines and standards.

·         Participate in quality improvement initiatives, including root cause analyses, performance improvement projects, and hospital-wide compliance monitoring to enhance patient safety.

·         Serve as a key member of hospital quality committees, presenting infection surveillance data, trends, and annual reports to senior leadership and medical executive staff.

·         Maintain and analyze infection prevention and employee health data, ensuring accurate documentation and effective communication of findings to stakeholders.

·         Oversee infection-related employee health programs, including tuberculosis screening, immunization compliance, and post-exposure protocols for bloodborne pathogens.

·         Conduct environmental and compliance audits, including safety rounds and targeted tracers, to assess adherence to infection prevention standards and recommend corrective actions.

·         Act as a consultant to nursing administration and hospital leadership, providing expert guidance on infection control best practices to optimize patient care and staff safety.

Required Qualifications:

·         Strong knowledge of nursing principles, practices, terminology, and standard abbreviations.

·         Expertise in sanitation, sterilization methods, and infection control techniques.

·         Proficiency in preparing and analyzing charts, graphs, tables, and statistical reports.

·         Ability to plan, conduct, and deliver effective training and instruction in nursing practices.

·         Strong analytical skills to assess medical data, draw conclusions, and make informed recommendations.

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear instructions.

·         Ability to collaborate within a multi-disciplinary healthcare team and interact professionally with individuals under physical or emotional stress.

·         Flexibility to work varied shifts, including weekends, holidays, and nights, as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

·         Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and summarize data.

·         Knowledge of the principles and practices of health care administration, and of the methods used to evaluate nursing practices.

·         Understanding of laws, rules, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing agency and assigned unit activities.

      Learn more about nursing opportunities at DPH https://www.mass.gov/info-details/nursing-roles-at-dph

DPH Mission and Vision: 

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism. 

We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.

About Tewksbury Hospital:

Tewksbury Hospital offers a broad range of services, including a physician on site at all times, around-the-clock nursing care, rehabilitation services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, psychology services, social services, nutritional services, and an on-site dialysis clinic.

Learn more about our important work: https://www.mass.gov/locations/tewksbury-hospital

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

For questions about this requisition, please contact EOHHS Employment and Staffing Customer Service at 1-800-510-4122, option 4.

Questions or issues regarding access/login credentials to MassCareers, please contact the Mass HR ESC at 617-979-8500.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the   Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience as a registered nurse in a recognized hospital, clinic or medical facility and (B) of which at least two years must have been in a supervisory, administrative, or managerial capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Graduate degree with a major in Nursing may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*  No substitutions will be allowed for the required (B) experience.

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LEVELS IN SERIES:  Current and valid registration as a professional nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing .*

*Recent graduates from an approved school of nursing must have applied for the first available registered nurse examination.

Special Requirements: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts  Motor Vehicle Operator's license may be required.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.