In a conversation with Jacob Hutcherson, Jessica Swain discussed her experience working with multiple healthcare facilities and how her role as a key resource for Infection Preventionists and quality specialists organically evolved. Before officially stepping into her system-level role, Jessica had already established herself as a go-to person for many healthcare professionals across New Hampshire.
Jessica explained that in many of the community group practices across the state, there weren’t designated Infection Preventionists. Instead, quality specialists were tasked with managing Infection Prevention-related challenges, despite not having a formal background in the field. Whenever these specialists faced unfamiliar situations or needed guidance, they turned to Jessica for support. She became the person they could count on for advice and resources to help them navigate the complexities of Infection Prevention.
As new Infection Preventionists joined other hospitals, Jessica’s role as a mentor expanded. These newcomers frequently reached out to her, asking where they could find important information or seeking recommendations for Infection Prevention practices. Through these interactions, Jessica built strong relationships with her colleagues, creating a network of support that extended across multiple facilities.
This experience laid the foundation for Jessica’s eventual system-level role. Her ability to collaborate with Infection Preventionists and quality specialists, combined with the trust she had earned from colleagues, positioned her perfectly for a role that required overseeing multiple hospitals. Jessica’s story highlights the importance of building relationships, sharing knowledge, and being a dependable resource for others—qualities that have contributed to her success in Infection Prevention.
Jessica’s journey serves as a great example of how a role can naturally expand through consistent collaboration and support. Her willingness to be a resource for others not only strengthened the Infection Prevention programs across these facilities but also prepared her for broader responsibilities within the healthcare system.