Clinical Edu. & Infection Prev. Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Schedule: Monday through Friday, with 4 days at St. Charles location and 1 day to be at St. Louis location

Summary

The Clinical Education & Infection Prevention Nurse is responsible for advancing organizational quality and safety by leading infection prevention efforts and delivering comprehensive clinical education. This role oversees infection control assessments, reporting, and regulatory compliance while developing and implementing education and training programs that support staff competency, survey readiness, and adherence to best practices. The nurse partners with leadership to analyze and trend quality data, coordinate mandatory trainings and certifications, and ensure employees are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and resources to provide safe, high-quality care across all levels of service.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide clinical education and training across all levels of care, including leadership and supervisory staff. Topics include trauma-informed care, de-escalation techniques, and motivational interviewing.

• Plan, deliver, and evaluate new employee orientation programs, including skills validation and competency assessments.

• Provide and maintain certification programs such as LIMA (Level I Medication Aide) training and CPR classes.

• Ensure ongoing compliance with employee annual TB testing requirements.

• Support and monitor staff use of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and provide documentation training as needed.

• Identify clinical education needs through audits, surveys, and leadership collaboration; design targeted education to address gaps.

• Partner with Quality Management/Insurance Specialist for CARF surveys through proactive training and respond to surveyor-identified education needs.

• Coordinate required training programs (e.g., safety, HIPAA, infection control, fall prevention) with department leaders and HR.

• Develop, implement, and maintain clinical training curricula in collaboration with the Director of Nursing.

• Serve as a subject matter expert on clinical policies, procedures, and tools (e.g., glucometers, medical equipment).

• Coordinate training schedules and communications with HR.

• Maintain accurate training records, attendance, and outcome tracking.

• Coordinate and complete Infection Control (IC) assessments.

• Analyze, trend, and distribute infection control data on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.

• Report infection prevention and quality data using Power BI at both the community and system levels.

• Conduct monthly chart audits and develop corrective action plans based on findings.

• Submit required infectious disease reports to NHSN, the Department of Health, and other regulatory agencies.

• Review and update Facility Assessments annually in collaboration with community leadership.

• Collaborate on the development and revision of infection prevention policies and procedures.

• Provide direct patient care by filling in on nursing units during staffing shortages, ensuring continuity of care and maintaining clinical skills.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Current RN license in state of practice

• Must be CPR certified/CPR Instructor Certification preferred willingness to obtain within designated timeframe.

• LIMA Medication Aide Instructor Certification preferred willingness to obtain within designated timeframe.

• Minimum of 2 years in a Clinical Educator or Nursing Professional Development role, preferably within acute care or behavioral health settings. This should include developing and delivering staff education programs, leading competency assessments, and facilitating orientation and training for clinical personnel.

• Prior experience in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment education is strongly preferred. Must be well-versed in behavioral health and SUD, including co-occurring mental health conditions.

• Experience with electronic health records (EHR) and data analysis tools (e.g., Power BI).

• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

• Must be knowledgeable and skilled in nursing medical practices and procedures with emphasis in the geriatric population.

• Must be familiar with current laws, regulations, and guidelines.

• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care and personal growth.

• Must maintain a high level of professionalism and a cheerful disposition and willingness to handle difficult situations.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Mobility & Stamina: Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.

• Lifting & Carrying: Ability to occasionally lift, push, pull, or carry up to 25–35 pounds (such as files, supplies, or small equipment).

• Dexterity & Coordination: Requires sufficient hand–eye coordination and manual dexterity to operate office equipment and perform clinical demonstrations when needed.

• Vision & Hearing: Adequate vision and hearing (with or without corrective devices) to read reports, monitor patient charts, observe staff performance, and participate in meetings.

• Communication: Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, to lead staff, interact with residents, families, and regulatory agencies.

• Other Physical Demands: Occasional bending, reaching, or kneeling when reviewing clinical environments or assisting staff.

• Environment: Work performed in a healthcare/long-term care facility setting, combining both administrative office work and clinical oversight on patient care units.

• Exposure: Possible contact with bloodborne pathogens, infectious diseases, hazardous chemicals, and bodily fluids when in clinical areas.

• Pace & Stress: Duties involve high levels of responsibility and decision-making, often under tight deadlines and in emergency or crisis situations. Must be able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Schedule: Primarily day shifts, but evenings, weekends, and holidays must be available as needed for emergencies, inspections, or staffing coverage.

• Leadership Environment: Frequent interaction with executive leadership, physicians, nursing staff, residents, families, and external agencies. Requires maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and composure in sensitive or stressful situations.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and standards.