Nurse Educator/Infection Preventionist (RTC)

Lakeland Behavioral Health System•Springfield, MO

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Lakeland Behavioral Health is seeking a Nurse Educator/Infection Preventionist (RN). This role is crucial for developing and implementing education plans, leading clinical orientation for new hires, identifying staff learning needs, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and safety standards. The position also promotes a culture of continuous learning and professional growth, models best practices in behavioral health nursing, and develops and implements facility-wide infection surveillance, prevention, and control policies and procedures. As Missouri’s leading psychiatric hospital and treatment center, Lakeland Behavioral Health is a 208-bed facility serving children and adolescents, known for comprehensive training, dynamic leadership, and a supportive environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nursing or commensurate experience required.
Three years of registered nurse experience required.
Two years of behavioral health experience as an RN required.
Current state license is required for this position.
CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in nursing, Healthcare Administration, Education or other clinical field or equivalent combination of education and/or experience preferred.
Five + years strongly preferred.
Inpatient psychiatry experience as an RN strongly preferred.
1+ years experience in Clinical Education/Training and Development (Preferred).
Certification as an NPD Practitioner and/or clinical certification as recognized by American Nurse Credentialing Center. (Preferred).
First aid may be required based on state or facility.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement facility-wide infection surveillance, prevention and control policies and procedures.
Coordinate and lead the facility’s infection prevention and control program.
Facilitate orientation/onboarding program to promote employee retention.
Conduct orientation in a manner that fosters a positive learning environment.
Role model organizational and personal commitment to new employee success.
Participate in designing and identifying educational activities to address practice gaps for identified target audiences, which may include licensed and non-licensed healthcare personnel.
Identify learning needs of staff and/or facility.
Role model competent practice through demonstration or simulation activities.
Assess practice gaps/Crosswalk competencies to practice.
Collaborate with Corporate Nursing Director /Educator to review outcomes data to evaluate and refine competency management activities.
Assist with development and/or instruction of didactic content and clinical skills for designated competencies.
Develop education plan according to gap assessment or quality data/safety outcomes.
Align educational programs with facility and/or organization policies and procedures.
Implement and deliver educational curricula as required by regulatory agencies such as Joint Commission, CARF, CMS and State agencies.
Create engaging, evidence-based educational content to meet the specific needs of the intended audience.
Demonstrate exceptional instructional skills while maintaining learner engagement.
Act as a general resource for nursing staff.
Collaborate with medical practitioners and CNO/DON to incorporate nursing processes into the plan of care for patients.
Provide educational leadership to patients and care providers to enhance specialized patient care within established clinical protocol.
Promote safe, quality, and compassionate patient care.
Assist patient and caregivers with education needs, problem solution and health management across the continuum of care.
Educate direct patient care staff in the use of equipment, supplies, and coordinate in-service training for appropriate staff.
Support new ideas and innovation in educational design.
Provide staff with resources and “just-in-time” education to implement immediate changes.
May serve in the role of infection preventionist for the facility with training.
May provide direct care as needed.
Provide expertise in identifying professional development needs of individual staff.
Assist staff to identify areas for individual growth in current role.
Identify and provide opportunities for skill enhancement and mastery.
Utilize novice to expert continuum when developing staff.
Promote certification in areas of nursing specialty.
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.