ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Assess educational needs and develop/coordinate necessary education programs. Coordinate orientation programs for new clinical staff. Act a general resource for nursing staff. Work with hospital leadership and staff to assess current educational needs and develops a plan to satisfy those needs. Collaborate with medical practitioners and Director of Nursing 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. Assist patient and caregivers with education needs, problem solution and health management across the continuum of care. Implement and deliver educational curricula as required by regulatory agencies such as Joint Commission, CARF, CMS and State agencies. Initiate clinical skills development programs for direct care staff. Educate direct patient care staff in the use of equipment, supplies, and coordinates in-service training for appropriate staff. Provide specialized nursing protocols for direct care staff. Develop training and implementation as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Conduct ongoing surveillance of infections. Gather and interpret data and keep accurate records of all infections. Compile and present Infection Reports to the Safety/Infection Control Committee and the Performance Improvement Council at assigned intervals. Inspect environment and observe personnel activities for the purpose of detecting infection hazards. Monitor and evaluate compliance with standards set by facility policy and industry. Monitor and update all facility department supervisors on all area-specific policies and procedures important to infection prevention principles. Investigate all 'exposure incidents,' oversee post-exposure evaluation and follow-up process in order to recommend appropriate actions to be taken. Notify designated medical, administrative staff and appropriate health department authorities all reportable communicable disease. Develop and provide in-service and orientation programs concerning prevention and control of infection, standard precautions, isolation techniques and education on current infectious disease. Responsibilities may also include gathering, analyzing and presenting data, facts and trends on infection prevention to facility or corporate leadership. Train staff on infection prevention and control protocols. Assess and re-enforce infection prevention practices. Communicate therapeutically and professionally with patients, visitors, coworkers and others in an effective manner.