Infection Prevention Nurse

Collaboration with facility leadership and medical director to develop, implement and evaluate the annual infection control plan.  Antibiotic stewardship (including 72-hour timeout.) Manage isolation including orders, monitoring, rounding, and education as needed.  Covid prevention including vaccinations, documentation and NHSN.  Employee health.  Manage vaccination program including educating and offering vaccinations to all residents, encouraging staff vaccinations, maintaining vaccination records for residents and staff, tracking immunization rates, and monitoring and updating protocols based on CDC, CMS, and state health department guidelines.  Accountable for surveillance of healthcare acquired and community acquired infections.  Tracing infections such as UTIs, pneumonia, and MDROs using standardized criteria.  Monitoring for outbreaks and reporting per regulatory guidelines.  Ensure interdisciplinary communication regarding staff illness, outbreak status, and areas requiring transmission-based precautions.  Conducting regular audits and risk assessments to identify trends and corrective actions.  Serve on the QAPI committee and chair the infection control meeting.

Qualifications

• Graduate of accredited school of nursing, BSN preferred
• Prior experience in Infection Prevention in a skilled nursing facility required
• Current Missouri nursing license in good standing
• Current CPR/AED certification required
• Infection Prevention certification highly desirable
• Minimum of 5 years of recent clinical nursing experience required
• Recent infection prevention experience required
• Previous experience in skilled nursing required
• Ability to manage time and organize daily schedule to meet productivity standards
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite and other programs such as EMR
• Possess integrity, initiative, and loyalty
• Must possess good communication and documentation skills
• Ability to stand and walk for long periods
• Ability to lift heavy objects using proper lifting techniques and with assistance when necessary
• Ability to transfer and move residents who vary with ability to assist weighing 200+ lbs. using proper lifting techniques and with assistance as necessary
• Ability to push and pull equipment weighing in excess of 40lbs. using proper lifting techniques and with assistance as necessary.
• Manual dexterity, coordination and skillful use of hands when working with residents and equipment
• Ability to perform necessary documentation
• Visual acuity
• Must be able to manage a diversity of activities
• Good organizational, critical thinking, problem solving, and mentoring skills
• High degree of ability in using tact, diplomacy, and discretion
• Must be able to concentrate with frequent interruptions and multiple distractions
• A preference for understanding and responding to the physical and psychosocial needs of the geriatric person is required