Infection Preventionist & Educator

Duncaster Inc•Bloomfield, CT

1d•$49•Onsite

About The Position

As a Best of Hartford organization, a career at Duncaster in more than just a place to work. Here, you can fulfill your passion for helping others and become part of something meaningful that pays you back in inspiring, heartfelt ways you may have never experienced. Duncaster offers residents a plan for life with independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing services all on a beautiful campus-like setting. Our residents share a bond of mutual respect with our staff that builds memorable and lasting relationships. Overview The Infection Preventionist Nurse leads infection prevention at Caleb Hitchcock Health Center. This position drives quality care through evidence-based infection control practices that empower staff to deliver exceptional resident and patient outcomes. As the Infection Preventionist, this leader partners with the Medical Director, Director of Nursing, and interdisciplinary teams to advance the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program and reduce the transmission of infectious diseases among residents, patients, team members, and visitors. When performing the clinical educator functions, this position collaborates with the clinical educator counterpart to fulfill the clinical orientation and training needs for nursing staff at Duncaster.

Requirements

Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing in the State of Connecticut.
Bachelor’s degree in nursing, Health Education, or a related field is preferred.
3 years of full-time or equivalent clinical nursing experience is required.
2 years of clinical experience in long-term care nursing is preferred.
1 year of experience in staff education or training and development is required.
Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) certification is strongly preferred or will obtain within 3 months is required.
BLS/CPR Instructor certification required or will obtain within 3 months.
IV certification preferred.
Must be able to speak, read, and write the English language in an understandable manner.
Must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and LMS platforms.
Deep understanding of infection prevention principles, surveillance, and outbreak management.
Must have strong communication, leadership, and coaching skills.
Ability to work collaboratively across clinical and non-clinical departments.
Ability to analyze data and translate insights into actionable improvements.
Thorough knowledge of State and Federal regulatory requirements for long-term care and senior living.
Ability to focus on task needs and perform intellectual executive functions as related to documentation, charting, care device operations, etc.
Ability to execute intellectual tasks and duties under conditions of high demand and distraction.
Ability to complete the essential functions of the position with or with adaptive personal devices (e.g., hearing aid, corrective lenses).
Ability to operate equipment and technology required for the position.
Able to wear personal protective equipment.
Must be able to communicate effectively.
Able to assist with the evacuation of residents under emergency status to the best of their physical ability.
Able to function independently with integrity and work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
Able to constantly stand or walk to provide resident care and assistance.
Able to frequently push and/or pull a force up to 30 pounds including residents weighing up to 250 pounds in wheelchairs and geri-chairs.
Able to reach overhead, bend, and carry or lift 50 pounds occasionally and 35 pounds frequently.
Able to frequently transfer and support residents weighing up to 250 pounds while positioning, and transferring residents to beds, toilets wheelchairs, etc. Additional employees or mechanical assistance may be used.
Able to frequently reposition residents weighing up to 250 pounds in bed for assistance with treatments, hygiene, and comfort needs. Additional employees or mechanical assistance may be used.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in nursing, Health Education, or a related field is preferred.
2 years of clinical experience in long-term care nursing is preferred.
IV certification preferred.
Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) certification is strongly preferred or will obtain within 3 months is required.

Responsibilities

Conducts routine and unannounced environmental surveillance rounds across clinical and support areas, documenting findings and ensuring timely corrective actions.
Monitors and analyzes infection data, including trends, outbreaks, and antibiotic utilization, and reports findings to the QAPI team.
Maintains detailed records of infections, including treatment response and outcomes, for continuous quality improvement.
Leads outbreak investigations and implements rapid response measures to prevent further transmission.
Ensures compliance with all reporting requirements for communicable diseases and outbreaks to state and local health departments.
Refers to infectious disease guidelines and collaborates with clinical leaders to review and refine infection control practices.
Develops, updates, and implements infection control policies in alignment with OSHA, CDC, CMS, and DPH standards.
Participates in facility-wide Quality Improvement and Safety initiatives.
Collaborate with nurse managers and supervisors to ensure proper techniques related to infection control are observed by all staff to include direct observation of staff performance.
Assists in maintaining the employee and resident health program to include immunization programs mandated by DPH and Duncaster policy.
Assists in clinical orientation and skills training for RNs, LPNs and CNAs.
Assists in development and implementation of competency-based training programs for nursing staff, including medication administration, infection prevention, restorative care, and documentation best practices.
Coordinates all required in-service education to maintain compliance with CMS, DPH, OSHA, HIPPA standards.
In conjunction with the Clinical Educator, administers the organization’s Learning Management System (Relias) to assign, monitor, and report on clinical training.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

401(k) with match and profit sharing
Medical, dental, and vision insurance available the 1st of the month after hire
Flexible spending accounts
Short-term and long-term disability
Employee assistance program
Paid time off
Tuition reimbursement
10% tuition discount on all degree and certificate programs at Charter Oak
Free Access to our Aquatic & Fitness Center & to our beautiful walking trails throughout our campus
Discount employee lunches
Duncaster Spotlight Employee Recognition Program
Referral bonuses
Free parking
Shoes for Crews - discounted safety shoes for all staff
Yearly performance increases plus additional bonus opportunities
Employee Appreciation Events held throughout the year by our own “Funcaster” Committee