Infection Control Technician

Overview

The Cummings School Veterinary Group (CSVG) is comprised of 7 teaching hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic laboratories. The CVSG supports the education and research missions of the school, as well as providing excellent patient care. The Foster Hospital for Small Animals (FHSA) in North Grafton, MA provides state-of-the-art, 24-hour, 7-day a week emergency and multi-specialty care for small animals. The annual caseload is approximately 35,000 cases per year, with over 60 faculty, 50 residents, 25 interns, and approximately 300 staff.

The Infection Control Technician is responsible for oversight of infection control and prevention activities, working in collaboration with the Infection Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship Team. This includes:
1) establishing and monitoring appropriate specialized disinfection and cleaning protocols in the FHSA to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases within the facility;
2) educating hospital employees, as appropriate, in the necessary steps to limit spread of bacterial and other infections;
3) conducting regular monitoring and evaluation of efficacy of procedures and prevalence of MDR bacteria in the facility and in patients; and
4) participating in specific infection control cleaning as required. This is an on-site, 5-day (Monday to Friday) position. Regular hours are 8am to 4pm but there is the need for flexibility. Occasional weekend or evening work may be needed to support all staff involved in infection control.

• Overall Responsibilities
  - Collaborates with hospital leadership, key stakeholders, campus facilities, and ICAST to develop, implement, and improve infection prevention and control policies, procedures, and initiatives. Oversees healthcare-associated infection investigations, MDR surveillance activities, culture and environmental surveillance review, and analysis of IPC data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Supports APIC and veterinary IPC initiatives, including hand hygiene programs, and communicates findings and recommendations to ICAST and senior leadership.
• Education and Compliance Responsibilities
  - Provides education and training to employees, faculty, staff, house officers, and students on infection prevention and control (IPC) policies, procedures, and best practices through orientation and ongoing educational initiatives. Monitors compliance with IPC standards, provides guidance to promote adherence, and assesses infectious disease risks to determine appropriate PPE requirements, including the implementation, escalation, and de-escalation of transmission-based precautions and isolation protocols.
• Clinic Floor Responsibilities
  - Manages clinic floor infection prevention and control activities, including interfacing with the clinical care team of patients with infectious diseases to provide guidance for handling and workflows per ICAST SOPs. Supports disinfection and cleaning of inpatient areas, exam rooms, treatment spaces, equipment, and patient care environments in accordance with IPC procedures in the event of an outbreak. Oversees the hospital’s UV disinfection program by performing disinfection activities as needed, training and delegating responsibilities to appropriate staff, and ensuring completion according to established protocols.
  
  Ensures clinical areas, including nursing stations and patient care spaces, are maintained to facility standards and that cleaning supplies and consumables are properly stocked and managed. Provides leadership and oversight of the Infection Control Assistant (ICA), including training, scheduling, work assignment, coaching, performance management, and professional development to support compliance with infection prevention and control standards.