Infection Preventionist at Down East Community Hospital – Calais, Maine

Position Summary

The Infection Preventionist (IP) is the hospital’s designated expert responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating the organization’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Employee Health programs. This position functions independently, exercises substantial discretion and judgment, and serves as the primary authority for infection prevention policy development, regulatory compliance, surveillance, and program leadership.

The IP has the responsibility for directing the infection prevention program, advising leadership, and representing the hospital in all matters related to infection control and employee health compliance. The role requires advanced professional knowledge, independent decisionmaking, and direct involvement in management-level activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Exercises discretion and independent judgment on matters of significance, including policy creation, regulatory interpretation, and risk mitigation.
• Represents management interests in infection prevention and employee health matters.
• Serves as the hospital’s authoritative voice for infection control decisions, including emergency response, isolation precautions, and exposure management.
• Develops and implements policies that affect multiple departments and the organization.
• Provides expert consultation that influences operational decisions, resource allocation, and strategic planning.
• Functions as a professional role requiring advanced specialized knowledge, analysis, and decision-making.

Qualifications

• RN license, bachelor’s degree preferred, or other health care field with experience in infection prevention.
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) required or obtained within 2 years of hire.
• Demonstrated expertise in regulatory compliance, data analysis, and policy development.
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and exercise high-level judgment.