Position Summary:
The RN Infection Control and Nursing Educator is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, and reporting and staff education with regards to illness from infection, healthcare acquired infection, infection prevention, state and federal laws and regulatory standards. Provide guidance to facility by active collaboration with leaders, direction to staff, and consultation with providers to promote evidence based practice and quality care. The RN Infection Control and Nursing Educator oversees infection prevention and control activities through planning, risk assessment and review and presentation of data in a manner that aligns with the mission, vision and values of Norwood Life Society
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Analyze, develop and implement skills enhancement as necessary, for Associates and licensed professional personnel
2. Participates in Norwood Crossing and Bethesda’s QAPI program meeting analyzing data to direct future initiatives in Associate Development
3. Strategize with the Departmental Directors to identify potential developmental areas throughout the Organizations. Develop course curriculum to address identified needs of each department
4. Develops and manages Clinical Competency testing for licensed nursing and CNAs
5. Regularly develops and revises effective written materials such as outlines, lesson plans, and handouts
6. Observes and instructs staff in following safety practices at all times
7. Consistently monitors established policies and procedures pertaining to safety and universal precautions and hazard communications of the facility
8. Consistently functions as an educational resource and provides individualized guidance for education needs
9. Investigate, evaluate, interpret, and report hospital acquired and healthcare associated infection surveillance data using CDC/NHSN definitions and rates. This includes reviews of lab and microbiology reports, and supporting information, preparing reports for presentation, communicating findings and validating information when circumstances require.
10. Responsible for reporting communicable diseases to local health departments or state agencies and submitting required regulatory data according to government/agency guidelines.
11. Conduct investigation of emergent or unusual cluster, infection outbreak or pathogen threat and consult with local and state health departments in collaboration with ministry or facility infectious disease physician or CMO, employee health, and when necessary the Center for Disease Control.
12. Initiate performance improvement activities which may include action plans in response to surveillance or regulatory finding, lead multidisciplinary task force or team in addressing facility issues and direct education that supports activity goals.
13. Provide expertise to all departments/committees specific to infection prevention, including responsibility for facility Infection and Prevention Control Plan and Goals, participation in Emergency Preparedness, Environment of Care, staff orientation and annual education requirements, policyreview and updates as well as shares Infection Prevention and Control coverage/activities across the region.
14. Provide expertise for education directed at residents/patients, families, visitors and vendors on appropriate infection prevention practices.
15. Promote understanding and adherence to evidence based practices as they relate to prevention behaviors and attitudes.
16. Responsible for maintaining current knowledge of infection prevention standards, trends, developments and regulatory requirements. Enhance professional expertise by reading professional literature and attending appropriate conferences and seminars.
Essential Job Functions:
· Ability to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position;
· Possess sight/hearing senses, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met;
· Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability;
· Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds up to a max of 50 pounds to a minimum height of 4 feet unassisted and be able to push, pull move and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet;
· Ability to stand, walk and occasionally reach with hands and/or arms to provide care, crouch or stoop.
Qualifications:
· Registered Professional Nurse with current Illinois licensure
· Minimum 3 years of experience in a health-related facility as an educator/trainer
· Supervisory experience of at least 1 year
· Certification of completion of specialized training for Infection Control
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Weekends as needed
License/Certification:
- RN License (Required)
- Certification in Infection Prevention & Control (Required)
Work Location: In person