Education/Infection Nurse

Job Details: Job Location: Jeff Davis Hospital - Hazlehurst, GA, Salary Range: Undisclosed,
Provides oversight of the infection prevention and control program (IPCP), which includes a system for preventing, identifying, investigating, reporting, and controlling infections and communicable diseases for patients, staff, and others within the facilities

Develop, review, and update plans, policies, and procedures that facilitate compliance and program implementation relating to infection prevention.  Conduct risk assessments and review of the IPCP annually and update program as necessary

Coordinate and/or perform surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they spread.  Collaborate with Employee/Occupational Health to monitor and track potential communicable diseases or infections among employees.  

Collect and maintain statistical data for the IPCP, as well as records of patients with hospital acquired infections (HAI).  Participate in the antibiotic stewardship program, NHSN Reporting along with Antibiotic Use and Resistance (AUR) reporting as required.

Assess the need for, develop, and present IPCP education to individuals, departments, or organizations as needed, including initial orientation, annual review, and additional in-services. Education may include, but is not limited to hand hygiene; cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization; use of isolation and barrier precautions when indicated; environmental hazards; use of patient care products and medical equipment; and immunization programs

Ensure the organization meets all standards and compliance with federal and state regulations related to infection control, such as CDC, OSHA, CMS and accreditation body. Assist with research to determine standards of care and coordinate staff education as needed.  Maintain professional growth and development through attendance of seminars/webinars, workshops, and other training courses as appropriate. Serve as a consultant for infection prevention and control activities for the organization.

As Clinical Educator, this position is responsible for leading clinical education in (but not limited to) new hire orientation, annual competencies, skills labs, organization strategic initiatives, implementation of new equipment, implementation of significant new process, and other organization educational goals as assigned.

Responsible for coordinating and ensuring clinical education and training to clinical areas in collaboration with Patient Care Services and Human Resources Division.

Qualifications:
Current Georgia RN licensure.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret the most complex documents.
Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques styles.
Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups and/or board members.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
Ability to handle nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.) in its most difficult phases.
Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
Must possess the ability to tactfully handle personnel, patients, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the public.
Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations and guidelines that pertain to nursing practice.
Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.
Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures that are necessary for providing quality of care.
Must have patience, tack, a cheerful disposition, and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult patients.
Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.
Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with patients, personnel and support agencies.