Antimicrobial Resistance Specialist

Title: Antimicrobial Resistance Specialist - MaineCare

Location: Augusta, ME

Remote Work Eligible: Yes

The mission of the Healthcare Epidemiology Program is to work to eliminate Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) and combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) by collaborating with federal and state stakeholders across the healthcare continuum, and the public.

Objectives of the program include 1) responding to healthcare facility public health threats such as outbreaks related to medical devices or procedures and emerging/re-emerging pathogens that express a high resistance to antimicrobial agents or have the ability to spread quickly (e.g. Ebola, COVID-19, carbapenemase-producing organisms, Candida auris); 2) conducting surveillance or accessing data relevant to HAI and AR; and 3) use that data to reduce and prevent HAIs and AR in Maine by working directly with healthcare facilities and stakeholders.

Required knowledge, skills, and certifications:

·      

• Pharmacist, (e.g., RPh, PharmD)

·       At least five years’ experience as a pharmacist (e.g., clinical, retail)

• Experience with analyzing antibiotic utilization (AU) data, from a variety of sources, to select areas for improvement.
• Ability to lead state-wide performance improvement initiatives that target antibiotic utilization across all health care facility types.
• Proficient in hosting functions for virtual meetings (e.g., Microsoft Teams and Zoom).

·       Proficient in Microsoft Office (e.g., WORD, Excel, Power Point).

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

·       Ability to effectively communicate with healthcare facility leadership and staff.

·       Ability to multitask between different projects and/or functions at the same time.

·       Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

·       Ability to prioritize and utilize resources and support staff to complete assignments in a timely and efficient manner.

·       Ability to take complex scientific concepts and simplify into practical understandable terms.

·       Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation. 

Preferred knowledge and skills:

·      

·       Certificate training for Antimicrobial Stewardship (e.g., Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists [SIDP] Antimicrobial Stewardship Certificate Program for Acute Care, for Long-term Care; Making a Difference in Infectious Diseases [MAD-ID] Antimicrobial Stewardship Training Program, Basic and Advanced).

Duties and Deliverable – Outline of specific job duties:

• Work to identify, obtain access to, and evaluate various AR data sources, such as National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Antimicrobial Utilization/Antimicrobial Resistance (AU/AR) data, Medicare Part D prescription data, CDC Patient Safety Atlas, and All Payer Claims Data for program use, and to visualize the landscape of AR in Maine.
• Work with hospitals and nursing homes to increase uptake of Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) program core measures.
• Collaborate with other program staff regarding frontline healthcare worker and public AR/AMS education material.
• Develop and launch program annual activities for CDC’s Antibiotics Awareness Week (e.g., education materials, social media feeds, podcasts).
• Engage in discussions with providers and/or facility leadership regarding AMS and AR.
• Use data to identify high priority areas for AR reduction activities. Determine data to use for baseline metrics and measure(s) of success. Collaborate with state stakeholders on AR reduction activities.
• Partner with a program Infection Preventionist(s) for onsite or remote assessment of facility antimicrobial practices, in response to a facility with high rates/outbreak of an AR pathogen.
• Chair/co-chair state AR/AMS Workgroup(s).
• Other duties as assigned.

Expected Deliverables:  Weekly activity report.  Monthly project progress report, if applicable.

In-State Travel:  Approximately 10-20% in-state travel anticipated.  In-state travel may include local, regional, or state meetings, as well as conducting on-site healthcare facility assessments or investigations. Occasionally, due to geographic distance, this may result in the need for overnight travel.  Travel reimbursement for routine business will need approval of the Department Program Manager. 

Out-of-State Travel:  Limited opportunities may be available for staff to attend conferences, meetings, education and/or training events. Travel reimbursement for out-of-state travel will need approval of the Department Program Manager.

Schedule:

Normal working hours:  Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, with one-hour lunch.  Alternate work hours possible, however, will need approval by the Department Program Manager.  Expectation of overtime is rare.

These positions can be part-time or full-time (full time defined as 40 hours per week). 

On-call Expectations:  This position does not come with a routine on-call expectation.  However, during periods of public health threats (e.g., AR pathogen outbreak/influx), then there may be an expectation for some on-call for limited periods of time.

Allowed time off:   Any requests for non-billable allowed time off will need approval by Department Program Manager.

Ability to work remotely: 

This position may be eligible for remote work, from within the state of Maine, according to State of Maine policies with access to a local State of Maine public health office.