RN - Infection Prevention Specialist - FT - Days - St. Vincent's

Sanford Health

16h•Onsite

About The Position

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. This position involves working collaboratively with infection and prevention and control staff to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Infection Prevention program. The role includes evaluating infection control trends and practices, providing educational programs for employees, and maintaining a basic understanding of microbiology and epidemiology. Responsibilities encompass surveillance of healthcare-associated infections and reportable illnesses, evaluation and reporting of statistical information, and consultation on asepsis, disinfection, sterilization, isolation, disease transmission, and related issues. The specialist will monitor compliance with standards, regulations, strategies, and evidence-based practices, evaluate and improve patient/resident outcomes, and assist with research needs and special projects. Familiarity with computer programs for data collection and analysis is necessary, along with good interpersonal skills and a willingness to learn. Critical thinking and effective problem-solving are essential. This Nurse will also work with the wound consultant weekly, participate in quality programs, and may occasionally assist on the floor.

Requirements

Two years’ of experience in a healthcare field required.
If working in an Acute setting, Board of Certification in Infection Control (CIC) by the Certification Board of Infection Control, Inc. (CBIC) is required. If certification is not obtained at the time of hire, a full time employed incumbent is required to sit for the exam within 36 months from date of hire. A part time employed incumbent is required to sit for the exam within 48 months from date of hire. A 12-month extension is allowed from the date of the first exam.
If working in a Post-Acute setting, completion of an approved Infection Prevention course by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is required.
If a licensed registered nurse (RN), currently hold an unencumbered RN license with the State Board of Nursing where the practice of nursing is occurring and/or possess multistate licensure if in a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in nursing, related clinical field, or graduate from an approved Masters of Public Health program preferred.
If degree is in nursing, graduate from a nationally accredited nursing program preferred, including, but not limited to, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).
Possess a basic understanding and working knowledge of microbiology and epidemiology.
Possess good interpersonal skills as well as willingness to seek out new information and knowledge.
Able to think critically and problem solve effectively.

Responsibilities

Evaluate infection control trends, practices, and provide educational programs for employees.
Surveillance of health care associated infections and reportable illness.
Evaluation and reporting of statistical information.
Consultation of asepsis, disinfection, sterilization, isolation, disease transmission and related issues.
Monitor compliance standards and regulations, strategies, and evidence-based aspects.
Evaluate and improve performance of patient/resident outcomes.
Assist with research needs and special projects.
Understand or be willing to learn computer programs and applications necessary for data collection and analysis.
Work with our wound consultant weekly.
Participate in quality programs.
At times will have to help work on the floor.