Infection Control​/Nurse Educator

Infection Control Nurse / Nurse Educator

Department: Nursing

Reports To: Director of Nursing

FLSA Status: Exempt

The Infection Control Nurse / Nurse Educator is responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of the facility’s Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) in accordance with CMS F-880, CDC guidelines, OSHA standards, and state regulations.

This position also serves as the facility’s Nurse Educator, responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering clinical education and competency validation for licensed nurses, CNAs, medication technicians, and ancillary staff in the long-term care and skilled nursing environment.

This role supports resident safety, regulatory compliance, quality improvement (QAPI), and staff competency.

Infection Prevention & Control (CMS F-880)

• Develop, implement, and update the Infection Prevention and Control Plan annually.
• Conduct ongoing surveillance of infections including UTIs, pneumonia, wound infections, GI illness, respiratory outbreaks, and MDROs.
• Track and trend infection data monthly and report to QAPI committee.
• Maintain NHSN reporting as applicable.
• Monitor and support the antibiotic stewardship program.
• Conduct daily clinical rounds to identify signs and symptoms of infection.
• Ensure appropriate isolation precautions (standard, contact, droplet).
• Monitor and document outbreak investigations.
• Report communicable diseases per CDC and state guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with CMS, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standards, and CDC Infection Prevention Guidelines.
• Audit hand hygiene compliance, PPE use, cleaning and disinfection practices, refrigerator temperature logs, sharps disposal, and biohazard storage.
• Conduct routine environmental rounds with EVS.

Nurse Educator Responsibilities

• Conduct general orientation for new nursing staff.
• Provide infection control education during onboarding.
• Validate return demonstrations and clinical competencies.
• Develop annual education calendar.
• Provide required annual competencies including infection control, hand hygiene, isolation precautions, blood borne pathogens, medication administration, wound care, IV therapy, change in condition/SBAR, and abuse & neglect prevention.
• Maintain staff education files and competency records.
• Validate competencies such as glucometer use, code cart checks, oxygen safety, PEG tube care, catheter care, wound care treatments, and isolation set-up.
• Provide remediation and performance coaching as needed.

Quality Assurance & QAPI

• Participate in QAPI meetings.
• Provide infection trend data with analysis.
• Develop corrective action plans for identified infection trends.
• Lead performance improvement projects related to infection reduction.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with Medical Director, Director of Nursing, Unit Managers, EVS, Dietary, and Therapy departments.
• Serve as clinical resource to nursing staff.

Documentation & Record Keeping

• Maintain infection logs and surveillance reports.
• Maintain education attendance records and competency checklists.
• Prepare documentation for state and federal surveys.

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Minimum 2–3 years long term care experience preferred.
• Infection Preventionist training preferred.
• Knowledge of CDC guidelines and CMS regulations.
• Strong leadership and teaching skills.

• Maintain infection rates at or below national benchmarks.
• Ensure 100% annual competency compliance.
• Demonstrate regulatory readiness.
• Provide consistent clinical leadership presence on units.

Benefits

• Medical/dental/vision/401k
• PTO accrual
• Aflac (employee paid)
• $10,000 sign on bonus paid out according to MJW policy