Infection Preventionist Quality Specialist

Infection Preventionist Quality Specialist

Base pay range: $36.93/hr - $59.07/hr

Job Summary: The Infection Preventionist/Quality Specialist is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating infection prevention and control (IPC) activities and supporting the Brattleboro Retreat’s comprehensive quality and patient safety program. This role serves as a subject matter expert on infection prevention practices, collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to reduce healthcare-associated infections, ensures compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, and supports performance improvement initiatives to advance clinical outcomes, patient safety, and organizational excellence.

• Develops, implements, and monitors the Infection Prevention & Control Plan in accordance with CDC, CMS, OSHA, Vermont Department of Health, and Joint Commission standards.
• Conducts ongoing surveillance for healthcare-associated infections, outbreaks, and infection risks across inpatient and outpatient psychiatric and mental health settings.
• Analyzes and interprets infection prevention data; reports findings to clinical leadership, quality committees, and regulatory agencies as required.
• Leads outbreak investigations and develops mitigation strategies in collaboration with clinical, environmental services, and facilities management teams.
• Provides expert guidance on evidence-based practices, including hand hygiene, isolation precautions, environmental cleaning, and disinfection processes.
• Coordinates staff education, competency validation, and training related to infection prevention and control.

• Collaborates with the Quality Department to design, implement, and evaluate quality improvement projects and patient safety initiatives.
• Assists in the development, monitoring, and reporting of key performance indicators, core measures, and patient safety goals.
• Conducts audits and tracer activities to assess compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Ensures compliance with regulations and standards.
• Supports root cause analyses (RCAs), failure mode and effects analyses (FMEAs), and other event investigations to identify system vulnerabilities and develop corrective actions.
• Facilitates interdisciplinary quality improvement teams to address clinical and operational priorities.

• Prepares for and participates in regulatory and accreditation surveys (e.g., Joint Commission, CMS, state inspections).
• Ensures timely submission of infection prevention and quality reports to internal stakeholders and external agencies.
• Maintains accurate and organized documentation to demonstrate compliance with all applicable standards.

• Clinical Excellence: Applies evidence-based practices and maintains up-to-date infection prevention knowledge.
• Regulatory Acumen: Understands and ensures compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and accreditation standards.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with all stakeholders to promote a culture of safety and quality.
• Change Leadership: Guides teams through process improvement and practice changes to enhance patient outcomes.

• Current Vermont RN license, associate’s degree in nursing and three (3) years’ experience in infection prevention, quality improvement, or patient safety in a healthcare setting required. Bachelor’s degree in nursing, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or related discipline and psychiatric or mental health experience preferred.
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred or obtained within 2 years of hire. Certification in healthcare quality (e.g., CPHQ) preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of infection prevention principles, regulatory requirements, and performance improvement methodologies.

• Day Shift
• 40 Hours Per Week

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Health Care Provider
• Industries:
  Mental Health Care