RN Nurse Educator - Infection Preventionist

RN Nurse Educator – Infection Preventionist at Conway Behavioral Health Hospital.

Role Overview:
The RN Nurse Educator - Infection Preventionist is a full‑time, day‑shift position responsible for planning, developing, and coordinating continuing nursing education and infection prevention programs within the behavioral health facility.

Plan, develop, and coordinate continuing nursing in‑service education programs for all clinical and non‑clinical staff in a positive, empathetic, and professional manner. This position enhances professional practice and quality patient care by providing evidence‑based educational programs and activities that promote competency for nursing and other clinical staff. Coordinate and lead the facility’s infection prevention and control program, determining, preventing, and containing infectious outbreaks.

• Facilitate orientation/onboarding programs to promote employee retention.
• Conduct orientation and educational sessions that foster a positive learning environment.
• Design and identify educational activities to address practice gaps for licensed and non‑licensed healthcare personnel.
• Identify learning needs and develop education plans based on gap assessments or quality data/safety outcomes.
• Align educational programs with facility and/or organization policies and procedures.
• Implement and deliver educational curricula required by regulatory agencies (Joint Commission, CARF, CMS, State agencies).
• Provide organizational and personal commitment to new employee success and serve as a general resource for nursing staff.
• Collaborate with medical practitioners and leadership to incorporate nursing processes into the plan of care.
• Provide educational leadership to patients and care providers to enhance patient care within established clinical protocols.
• Assist patients and caregivers with educational needs, problem solving, and health management across the continuum of care.
• Support new ideas and innovation in educational design and provide “just‑in‑time” education for immediate changes.
• May provide direct patient care as needed.
• Conduct ongoing surveillance of infections, gather and interpret data, and maintain accurate infection records.
• Compile and present infection reports to the Safety/Infection Control Committee and the Performance Improvement Council.
• Inspect environments and observe personnel to detect infection hazards.
• Monitor and evaluate compliance with facility policies and industry standards.
• Track exposure incidents, oversee post‑exposure evaluation, and recommend appropriate actions.
• Develop and provide in‑service and orientation programs concerning infection prevention and control.
• Train staff on infection prevention and control protocols and re‑enforce best practices.

• Master’s degree in nursing, Healthcare Administration, Education, or related clinical field (preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or equivalent experience (required).
• 5+ years of experience as a registered nurse (preferred). Minimum 3 years RN experience required.
• Inpatient psychiatry and behavioral health RN experience (preferred; 2 years required).
• At least 1 year in infection control (preferred).
• 1+ year experience in Clinical Education/Training and Development (preferred).
• Certification as an NPD Practitioner and/or clinical certification recognized by the American Nurse Credentialing Center (preferred).

• Current state RN license (required).
• Certification by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (preferred).
• CPR and de‑escalation/restraint certification required (training available on hire).
• First aid certification may be required based on state or facility policy.

For Joint Commission facilities, the infection preventionist is appointed by the governing body to be responsible for the infection prevention and control program, based on recommendations from medical and nursing leadership.

• Mid‑Senior level

• Full‑time

• Health Care Provider

• Mental Health Care

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.