Nurse III - Infection Control / Employee Health Nurse

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Waco, TX

1d•$7,533 - $8,886•Onsite

About The Position

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below. The Nurse III (Infection Control/Employee Health Nurse) performs advanced (senior level) professional nursing work within the scope of practice attributed to the skills of a registered nurse. Plans, develops, coordinates, and evaluates infection control activities and independently makes changes and recommendations for improvements. Leads the hospital in the development and implementation of the system-wide infection control program operations (including employee health), policies and procedures, and ensures infection prevention is implemented and maintained regarding health issues and practices. Evaluates the effectiveness of the infection control program through the analysis of statistical data and performance evaluation reports. Leads groups and an effective and productive committee to continually address infection control issues. Works in cooperation with the local and state health department and ensures adherence to federal regulations and requirements. Supervises others as required. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends. Essential Job Functions (EJFs): • Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. • Develops, writes, and implements policies and procedures pertaining to Infection Control issues to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies, including but not limited to, The Joint Commission (TJC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Evaluates the effectiveness of the Infection Control program. • Reviews literature and research findings to keep abreast of current infectious diseases and infection prevention, and serves as the resource person for infection control issues. • Ensures that Standard Precautions are being implemented and used when necessary. Upon notification of an identified infection, assesses the situation, implements isolation precautions or other preventative measures to prevent the spread of diseases, monitors and follows up to ensure that infection control procedures are implemented, and individual treatment plans are implemented and modified as needed. • Interprets infection control situations and communicates them effectively, both in writing and orally. Collects weekly reports detailing all infections on campus, antibiotic use, culture report results, and reports findings, trends, and interventions to the Infection Control Committee. • Chairs and documents results of, at least monthly, Infection Control Committee meetings. • Works independently and productively with all levels of staff and departments. Works closely and collaboratively with the CNE, medical staff, Pharmacy, Nurse Supervisors, Nurse Educator, Competency Training and Development (CTD), Health Department, and CDC when applicable. • Develops training and educational programs for all levels of staff understanding. Trains and counsels all levels of staff about routine infection control issues as well as blood borne pathogen exposures, suggestions to address identified risk factors, and coordinates specialized outbreak exposure investigations. • Performs routine Infection Control observations in all departments and on all shifts. Conducts infection control surveillance rounds and utilizes the results to identify areas of risk that can be addressed proactively to prevent new or existing illnesses. • Identifies, compiles, reviews, and analyzes data for trends, and implements procedures and training to prevent or halt progression of infectious diseases. • Complies and coordinates, according to evidence-based practice guidelines, the implementation of immunizations in the facility to both patients and staff. • Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Requirements

Must possess a valid Texas driver's license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver's license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy. Must be able to drive state vehicles and golf carts.
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Texas, or in a party state, that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact as described in Art. 4528b of the Nurse Practice Act.
Three (3) years' work experience as a RN in a recognized health agency, hospital, or health care facility.
At least two (2) years' experience related to the coordination and management of infectious diseases.
Considerable knowledge of nursing techniques, standards, and procedures; of health care laws and regulations; of medical diagnoses and procedures; of accepted medical treatment patterns; of community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures; of program regulations and procedures; and of utilization review and control measures.
Knowledge of infectious diseases and infection prevention and control principles and practices in the healthcare setting.
Knowledge of standards and Infection Prevention Control standards related to infection control and utilization management.
Knowledge of state and federal laws in mental health care, CMS conditions of participation, and TJC standards related to State Hospitals, or ability to quickly gain knowledge.
Knowledge of nursing care standards and the Healthcare Guidelines, or ability to quickly gain that knowledge.
Knowledge of emergency procedures and emergency equipment (i.e., CPR), and ability to assess and care for patients and/or staff members in emergency situations.
Skill in the use of computers/software and an electronic health record system.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to present ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral communications.
Skill in the care and treatment of patients.
Ability to work independently and productively with all levels of staff.
Ability to provide patient care; to prepare and maintain records; to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities and delivery of health services; to interpret policies and procedures; to interpret health care regulations; and to recognize patterns of medical necessity treatment.
Ability to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to appropriately interact with patients with mental health diagnoses, with their family members, and with staff members.
Ability to train all levels of staff.
Ability to make decisions and recommendations to SH leadership including on-call administrators.
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide, and Employee Misconduct, and List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and State Hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required.
Applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

Nice To Haves

Certification in Infection Control (CIC) issued by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. is preferred.
BSN is preferred.
Certification in the Association for Professionals in Infection Control.

Responsibilities

Plans, develops, coordinates, and evaluates infection control activities and independently makes changes and recommendations for improvements.
Leads the hospital in the development and implementation of the system-wide infection control program operations (including employee health), policies and procedures, and ensures infection prevention is implemented and maintained regarding health issues and practices.
Evaluates the effectiveness of the infection control program through the analysis of statistical data and performance evaluation reports.
Leads groups and an effective and productive committee to continually address infection control issues.
Works in cooperation with the local and state health department and ensures adherence to federal regulations and requirements.
Supervises others as required.
Develops, writes, and implements policies and procedures pertaining to Infection Control issues to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies, including but not limited to, The Joint Commission (TJC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Reviews literature and research findings to keep abreast of current infectious diseases and infection prevention, and serves as the resource person for infection control issues.
Ensures that Standard Precautions are being implemented and used when necessary. Upon notification of an identified infection, assesses the situation, implements isolation precautions or other preventative measures to prevent the spread of diseases, monitors and follows up to ensure that infection control procedures are implemented, and individual treatment plans are implemented and modified as needed.
Interprets infection control situations and communicates them effectively, both in writing and orally.
Collects weekly reports detailing all infections on campus, antibiotic use, culture report results, and reports findings, trends, and interventions to the Infection Control Committee.
Chairs and documents results of, at least monthly, Infection Control Committee meetings.
Works independently and productively with all levels of staff and departments.
Works closely and collaboratively with the CNE, medical staff, Pharmacy, Nurse Supervisors, Nurse Educator, Competency Training and Development (CTD), Health Department, and CDC when applicable.
Develops training and educational programs for all levels of staff understanding.
Trains and counsels all levels of staff about routine infection control issues as well as blood borne pathogen exposures, suggestions to address identified risk factors, and coordinates specialized outbreak exposure investigations.
Performs routine Infection Control observations in all departments and on all shifts.
Conducts infection control surveillance rounds and utilizes the results to identify areas of risk that can be addressed proactively to prevent new or existing illnesses.
Identifies, compiles, reviews, and analyzes data for trends, and implements procedures and training to prevent or halt progression of infectious diseases.
Complies and coordinates, according to evidence-based practice guidelines, the implementation of immunizations in the facility to both patients and staff.
Actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.