What are the responsibilities and job description for the Infection Preventionist / Staff Educator RN position at Silvercrest Center For Nursing and Rehabilitation?
About Silvercrest
The Silvercrest Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian, is a 320-bed skilled nursing facility located in Briarwood, Queens. We are a premier center of excellence specializing in the care of residents with complex medical needs, including ventilator-dependent individuals, as well as those requiring sub-acute and post-acute rehabilitation services.
Silvercrest is proud to be a Patient-Centered Care Facility and home to New York State’s largest, nationally recognized, and award-winning respiratory and ventilator-dependent care program. Join our dedicated team and become part of a progressive, innovative environment where your skills and compassion make a real difference in the lives of those we serve.
Overview
The Infection Preventionist (IP) / Staff Educator RN plays a critical dual role in promoting a safe, high-quality care environment throughout the facility.
The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying, investigating, monitoring, and reporting suspected outbreaks of infections and communicable diseases, as well as implementing strategies to minimize the risk of exposure and transmission. The IP collaborates closely with facility leadership to develop and sustain effective infection prevention initiatives, provide education and feedback to staff, and ensure compliance with all regulatory standards.
As the Infection Preventionist (IP) / Staff Educator RN, the individual will oversee staff orientation, training, professional development, and competency evaluations to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and promote clinical excellence across all departments.
Staff Education Responsibilities
- Ensure adherence to the standards and mission of Silvercrest as outlined in the Silvercrest Credo
- Plan, organize, and implement orientation programs for all new nursing service employees, including competency assessments
- Develop and conduct skills training programs for CNAs to meet the regulatory 12-hour annual training requirement
- Collaborate with nurse managers to identify training needs and recommend educational approaches to address performance improvement opportunities
- Provide clinical and classroom instruction across a wide variety of staff development courses
Infection Prevention Responsibilities
- Establish, implement, and maintain a comprehensive Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) for residents, staff, volunteers, visitors, and contracted personnel based on facility assessments and national standards
- Conduct surveillance to prevent, identify, report, and investigate infections and communicable diseases; maintain records of incidents and corrective actions
- Implement outbreak investigations and maintain timely reporting to local, state, and national agencies
- Develop and enforce standard and transmission-based precautions, including appropriate isolation practices that are the least restrictive possible for residents
- Ensure staff with communicable diseases or infected skin lesions do not have direct contact with residents or their food
- Oversee hand hygiene and infection control practices across all departments
- Provide IPCP in-service education for orientation, annual review, and department-specific training, covering topics such as hand hygiene, cleaning, sterilization, resident placement, therapeutic/diagnostic procedures, isolation precautions, and environmental safety
- Collaborate with facility leadership, medical directors, physicians, and regulatory agencies to develop and evaluate annual infection prevention goals and action plans
- Oversee the facility’s antibiotic stewardship program and monitor resident antibiotic use
- Serve as a member of the Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee
- Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, including infection control, safety, and OSHA requirements, and ensure facility leadership is informed
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Current Registered Nurse (RN) license
- Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing; Master’s degree in a health-related field acceptable
- Current CPR certification
- Proficiency in computer applications and electronic documentation
- Demonstrated competence in nursing practice and nursing education
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $125,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
License/Certification:
- RN License (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Briarwood, NY 11435 (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $125,000 - $130,000