SUMMARY

The Infection Preventionist- Nurse Educator is educated in health care and hospital epidemiology principles and is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, reporting and staff education and training with regards to illness from infection, healthcare acquired infection, infection prevention, state and federal laws and regulatory standards. Provide guidance to facilities by active collaboration with leaders, direction to staff, and consultation with providers to promote evidence based practice and quality care. The Infection Preventionist Nurse 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:

• Analyze, develop and implement skills enhancement as necessary, for all Staff
• Participates in Campus QAPI program meeting analyzing data to direct future initiatives in Staff Development
• Strategize with the Departmental Directors to identify potential developmental areas throughout the campus. Develop course curriculum to address identified needs of each department
• Develops and manages Clinical Competency testing for Nurses and CNAs
• Regularly develops and revises effective written materials such as outlines, lesson plans, and handouts
• Observes and instructs staff in following safety practices at all times
• Consistently monitors established policies and procedures pertaining to safety and universal precautions and hazard communications of the facility
• Consistently functions as an educational resource and provides individualized guidance for education needs
• 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.
• Responsible for reporting communicable diseases to local health departments or state agencies and submitting required regulatory data according to government/agency guidelines.
• Conduct investigation of emergent or unusual cluster, infection outbreak or pathogen threat and consult with local and state health departments in collaboration with facility Medical Director, employee health, and when necessary the Center for Disease Control.
• 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.
• 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, staff orientation and annual education requirements, policy review and updates as well as shares Infection Prevention and Control coverage/activities
• Provide expertise for education directed at Residents, families, visitors and vendors on appropriate infection prevention practices.
• Promote understanding and adherence to evidence based practices as they relate to prevention behaviors and attitudes.
• 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.
• This document represents the major duties, responsibilities and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. Other duties may be assigned.

Required skills and qualifications:

• 3 years' experience long-term care setting
• Supervisory experience of at least 1 year
• Minimum 3 years' experience in a health-related facility as an educator/ trainer
• Registered Nurse with current Illinois licensure
• Certification of completion of specialized training for Infection Control

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