Infection Preventionist

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

The Infection Prevention Program serves to advance the prevention of health care acquired infections through continuous improvement efforts that result in improved quality of care and outcomes for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center patients. The Infection Prevention team engages leaders, clinical care teams, patients, and families in its efforts to pro-actively identify infection risks and strategies to assure safety for Fred Hutch patients, visitors, providers and staff.

The Infection Prevention Program provides infection prevention surveillance and risk reduction guidance to leaders, staff, and providers at all levels across Fred Hutch. The program collaborates with partner institutions to align infection preventions strategies, standardizing infection prevention practices for providers, staff, and patients crossing multiple sites of care. The Infection Prevention Program woks in collaboration with the Infection Prevention Medical Director in applying health care epidemiologic principles and infection prevention strategies to the coordination of the Fred Hutch Infection Prevention Program.

This role will have the opportunity to work partially at our campus and remotely. The schedule/shift will be 1.0FTE/full-time Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm with some flexibility.

Oversees surveillance activities and collaborates with other clinic departments to perform environmental assessments for potential infection risks. This position will advise and consult with leaders, providers, staff, and contracted staff on best practice prevention strategies to protect patients, care team members and visitors from risks of contamination or infection.
• Develops and provides education regarding infection prevention practices such as isolation, hand hygiene and proper use of personal protective equipment. The IP also develops and reviews Fred Hutch policies and procedures to ensure alignment with the rigorous standards established by the Centers for Disease Control, OSHA, CMS, Joint Commission, Department of Health and other applicable regulatory and accreditation agencies.
• Applies epidemiologic principles and statistical methods to identify target populations, trends and risk factors.
• Conducts on-going surveillance of infection data. Investigates infection occurrences through review of patient records, laboratory reports and appointment data for possible contributing factors. Performs required documentation of findings and interventions taken.
• Collaborates with Facilities Engineering Environmental Health and Safety, and Housekeeping to provide ongoing surveillance and assessment of clinic environmental factors such as water supply systems, air quality, room humidity and pressure, and general environmental cleanliness.
• Collaborates with Occupational Health to support staff exposed to infections at work. Also collaborates to reinforce staff compliance with vaccine requirements to prevent the spread of preventable diseases in the clinic.
• Conducts IP rounds in all patient care areas and provides consultation to care team members.
• Participates in investigations of infectious outbreaks utilizing laboratory report available in patient records such as Epic.
• Utilizes institutional health IT platform data to gather infection incidence information necessary for public reports and infection prevention quality improvement efforts.
• Fulfills public reporting commitments to NHSN/CMS, CDC, and WSHA in the areas of Fred Hutch inpatient infection rates for CLABSI, CAUTI MRSA and C.Difficile.
• Participates in quality/performance improvement activities by assessing, monitoring, and measuring nosocomial infections and evaluating outcomes on a continuous basis.
• Ensures that the proper authorities are contacted when Fred Hutch patients contract any of the notifiable conditions listed in WAC 246-101-101.
• Assists in the organization of regularly scheduled infection prevention meetings and dissemination of recommendations.
• Plans, organizes, develops and implements education programs for staff, patients and families which convey specialized knowledge and skills to increase staff/patient and family awareness of existence of nosocomial infections; techniques for avoidance and preventive measures to provide a safe environment for staff and patients.
• Participates 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 knowledge.
• Maintains familiarity with national standards and compliance requirements of regulating and accrediting bodies such as The Joint Commission, WA State Department of Health, CDC, OSHA, and FDA.

Required:

• Healthcare associated degree.
• Knowledge or interest in microbiology and epidemiology.
• Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience in a hospital or ambulatory setting.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in infection prevention or equivalent experience, i.e. public health, epidemiology, or providing clinical care in an ambulatory or acute care setting).

Preferred:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Certificate in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.
• Washington State RN license.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $102,419.20 to $161,865.60, and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

This position may be eligible for relocation assistance.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).