CERTIFIED INFECTION CONTROL RN NURSE EDUCATOR

Job Description

Job Description

This position performs as a dual role as Infection Control and Nurse Educator. This role will service the Advanced Diagnostics Healthcare Systems Houston Hospitals. The Nurse Educator role is crucial in the academic and professional development of practicing nurses. As Nurse Educator, the incumbent will evaluate, revise and design, as well as implement, educational programs tailored to help nurses excel in their careers. This role demands a balance of clinical expertise and educational theory to provide high-quality lifelong learning experiences.

This role will be responsible for and serve as the Infection Control & Occupational Health Nurse as well, managing a range of employee health initiatives. These include tuberculosis testing, fit testing for safety equipment, performing employment pre-hire drug screens and overseeing the employee drug screening program related to on-the-job rediness. Serving in the Occupational Health role, the incumbent will treat minor on-the-job injuries, develop wellness initiatives, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

The ideal candidate in this position will be passionate about teaching and committed to fostering a culture of learning within the healthcare environment. The incumbent will develop and implement wellness programs aimed at preventing illnesses and promoting health, including the administration of site-specific services performing the same at each of our Houston locations.

• DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Participate in staff orientation to the organization, the practices, clinical skill checkoffs, Annual competency completion, Maintain staff education files.
• Work closely with quality to help roll out the new quality initiatives, chart audits, help with KPI indicators and PI projects such as CIWA nursing assessment on for detox patients due to drug OD.
• Identify gaps in practice through competency assessment, observation, or available measures. Plan and implement strategies to address gaps through observation of employees and their practice, audits, and metrics that may indicate a gap or need for improvement.
• Provide guidance to staff in clinical project development and management (i.e., documentation gap, safe reporting techniques). Lead interprofessional teams to achieve organizational goals through involvement in shared governance.
• Collaborate with Quality team regarding patient safety events. Engages in action include evidence-based practice guidelines and disseminating necessary practice changes.
• Champion and lead innovative initiatives to obtain service line / department-specific focus or specialty designations, recognitions, or awards. Collaborates across the hospital and system in implementing change as appropriate, maintaining awareness of current changes in practice standards, and applying clinical practice settings.
• Complete and update the Performance Improvement (PI) plans on an on-going basis.
• Partners in collaboration with leadership of the service lines / specialty areas to promote staff accountability and effective decision-making, which includes coaching to provide feedback in an effective way.
• Empower nurses to seek feedback from peers, informally or through established teachings.
• Assesses department needs for training and respond accordingly. Schedule training programs and in-service for Clinical staff. Orient new staff members and provide on-going training for all Clinical staff.
• Follow through with new employees at regular intervals to determine the need for additional training and support.
• Responsible for determining staff education specific needs based on needs assessment.
• Assures that staff meets the required competencies, both annual and unit based on area of practice.
• Identify and develop strategies to facilitate a continuous process of maturation through lifelong learning.
• Perform assessments to determine if an employee is physically and mentally fit to perform specific job duties.
• Complete ongoing monitoring of employees exposed to specific occupational hazards
• Perform regular health check-ups to detect and manage early signs of work-related health issues
• Administer job-required vaccines to protect employees from occupational hazards, infectious diseases, or travel-related risks.
• Undertake training and provision of first aid services and emergency drill practices.
• Be fully cognizant of project disease prevention, control, and management processes
• Coordinate with internal and external services in the event of an emergency.
• QUALIFICATIONS
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required.
• REQUIREMENTS
• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in Texas REQUIRED
• TX Driver’s License (good driving history) REQUIRED
• Minimum of 3-5years of clinical nursing experience, occupational health, employee wellness, or a related field required.
• 1+yrs Developing and directing orientation programs, in-services, and continuing education for the nursing and auxiliary staff of the organization.
• The Certification in Infection Control (CIC) credential. (REQUIRED)
• ACLS, PALS and BLS (REQUIRED)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, and general computer & technology literacy
• Experience with EMR, i.e., Athena, Epic, Cerna, or similar.
• Ability to identify priority tasks, create a plan, and execute deliverables to meet immediate needs.
• Experience building the occupational health function for an organization.
• Previous experience in medical documentation and familiarity with medical records systems is essential.
• Current up-to-date knowledge of nursing practices, anatomy, physiology, HIPAA regulations, and medical records management.
• Serve as a resource for nurses regarding clinical procedures, patient care protocols, and documentation requirements.
• EDUCATION
• Bachelor of Science, Nursing degree is preferred.
• ADN from an accredited school of Nursing.
• CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC)
• Registered Nurse (RN) license
• ACLS, PALS and BLS
• TX Driver’s License
• KNOWLEDGE SKILS AND ABILITIES
• Strong knowledge of health and safety regulations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Compassionate and empathetic approach to patient care.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient and staff information, following HIPAA and other privacy laws.