Infection Control

Infection Control & Nurse Educator | Miramont Behavioral Health | Middleton, Wisconsin
About the Job:
This is a FT dual role where the RN will be responsible for both Infection Control and Education for the hospital.

Typical working hours: M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Pay is based on years of experience: $54/Hr. - $64/Hr.

The Infection Prevention Nurse coordinates and leads the facility's infection prevention and control program which includes planning, developing, directing, implementing and evaluating infection prevention and control activities within the hospital. Provides surveillance of hospital inpatient population for evidence of infection. Assists nursing staff in proper care of patients with infections. Establishes and maintains a program of infection prevention training for hospital staff. Prevents and contains infectious outbreaks within the facility.

The Nurse Educator is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of all nursing education programs to meet the ongoing competency needs of nursing and patient care staff. Facilitates evidenced-based research within a specialized area of nursing. Collaborates with other staff to incorporate nursing processes into the plan of care ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and all related policies, procedures, and guidelines. Assists with responsibilities for orientation and educational requirements of staff members.

Roles and Responsibilities:

INFECTION PREVENTION NURSE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conducts ongoing surveillance of infections in hospital patients and hospital staff, compiles and interprets the surveillance data with assistance of Medical Director and Infection Control Committee. Gathers and interprets data and keeps accurate records of all infections.
• Collaborates with all disciplines and departments in the medical care facility to incorporate infection prevention/control principles in policies and procedures in order to provide a safe environment for hospital patients and staff.
• Monitors patient care activities to identify methods, techniques, equipment, supplies, products, procedures, and policies which could constitute a risk of originating or transmitting infection. Assesses and re-enforces infection prevention practices.
• Performs intervention/follow-up for incidents relating to potential exposure to infectious diseases by employees and patients.
• Provides in-services and training/education to all hospital staff regarding Infection Prevention/Control, OSHA, standard precautions, isolation techniques, education on current infectious disease. and employee health/wellness.
• Administers and monitors/follows-up on TB testing, Hepatitis B vaccination, flu vaccines and other vaccines per hospital policy and State Health Departments.
• Reports all infectious diseases as are required by local, state and federal laws to appropriate agencies including the Health Departments.
• Compiles and presents Infection Reports to appropriate committee or as requested.
• Monitors and updates all facility department supervisors on all area-specific policies and procedures important to infection prevention principles. Investigates all exposure incidents, oversees post-exposure evaluation and follows-up process in order to recommend appropriate actions to be taken.
• May maintains records for Employee Health and Infection Prevention.
• Gathers, analyzes and presents data, facts and trends on infection prevention to facility or corporate leadership.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complies with organizational policies, procedures, performance improvement initiatives and maintains regulatory and industry standards.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Accepts responsibility for professional growth and development of self and attends all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.
• Maintains professionalism and confidentiality of facility employees and patients.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing required. Bachelor's degree preferred.
• One or more years' experience in Infection Prevention/Control preferred.
• Working knowledge of agents which cause disease, reservoir, knowledge of spectrum of disease, disease carriers, modes of transportation, host factors that enhance susceptibility, colonization of infection and approach to control infection required.
• Knowledge of the basic principles of epidemiology and the infectious disease process required.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid current nursing license from the state or from a compact state, where applicable.
• Certification from Association of Infection for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) preferred.
• CIC Credential (Certification in Infection Prevention and Control) preferred.
• Certification by the Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology preferred.
• CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
• First aid may be required based on state or facility.

NURSE EDUCATOR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develops, provides and evaluates comprehensive orientation program for all new orientees that will include follow through on competency and skills checklist.
• Develops system for assuring orientation in classroom and on the units provides clear opportunities to practice and master the competencies necessary to provide safe care.
• Assists with responsibilities for educational requirements of staff members including components of General Orientation, Unit Orientation and Nurse Precepting, De-escalation, CPR, First Aid, and mandatory annual competencies.
• Obtains 100% compliance of all active nursing staff as it relates to TB testing, de-escalation and other mandatory annual training.
• Performs waive testing program for all nursing staff as it relates to the standards for psychiatric facilities.
• Develops, tracks and supervises the process for mentoring new hires, including monitoring the mentors, the new hires and suggests changes to improve the experience of new hires.
• Establishes a clinical rotation for nursing students for their psychiatric rotation In collaboration with the DON/CNO.
• Provides health educational information to staff and patients. Establishes an educational program, with approved CE's for nursing staff as it relates to diagnosis and medical management of the psychiatric patient and as required by regulatory agencies.
• Works with hospital leadership and staff to assess current educational needs and develops a plan to satisfy those learning needs.
• Incorporates current research and trends into practice and acts as resource/expert to the staff.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complies with organizational policies, procedures, performance improvement initiatives and maintains regulatory and industry standards.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Accepts responsibility for professional growth and development of self and attends all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.
• Maintains professionalism and confidentiality of facility employees and patients.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Nursing required. Master's degree in nursing preferred.

• Three or more years' clinical experience combined with/or related to teaching experience required.
• One or more years' behavioral health experience required.
• Working knowledge and experience with Joint Commission, OSHA, CMS and other county, state, and federal regulatory agencies required.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid current RN license from the state or from a compact state, where applicable.
• Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) designation, a plus
• CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
• First aid may be required based on state or facility.

Why Miramont Behavioral Health?Miramont Behavioral Health offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Qualified candidates should apply by submitting a resume. Miramont Behavioral Health is an EOE.

Veterans and military spouses are highly encouraged to apply. Summit BHC is dedicated to serving Veterans with specialized programming at our treatment centers across the country. We recognize and value the unique strengths of the military community in supporting our mission to serve those who have served.