Clinical Educator & Infection Control Specialist

Position Summary:

The Clinical Educator & Infection Control Specialist is a vital clinical leadership role focused on enhancing patient care and safety. This full-time position is responsible for developing and implementing effective infection prevention strategies, advanced wound management protocols, and comprehensive educational programs for nursing staff. Join our dedicated team to ensure regulatory compliance, advocate for evidence-based practices, and cultivate a culture of continuous learning within our skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility.

Key Responsibilities: Infection Control:

Develop and manage the Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) to ensure a safe environment.

Perform surveillance, data collection, and trend analysis of infection rates, presenting findings to key committees.

Guarantee adherence to CDC, CMS, OSHA, and state-specific guidelines for infection control.

Lead investigations during outbreaks and implement control measures effectively.

Maintain comprehensive logs and reports on infections and antibiotic usage.

Deliver educational sessions on infection prevention to staff, residents, and their families. Wound Care:

Evaluate, document, and manage residents with various types of wounds including pressure injuries, surgical wounds, and diabetic ulcers.

Create tailored wound care treatment plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.

Monitor and adjust wound treatment plans based on ongoing assessments.

Train nursing staff on proper wound care techniques and prevention strategies.

Ensure effective usage of wound care products and equipment.

Engage in weekly skin assessment rounds. Staff Education & Development:

Design, implement, and assess educational initiatives for nursing and ancillary staff, covering orientation and ongoing competency evaluations.

Conduct practical training and skills validation for clinical best practices.

Keep accurate records of training, staff competencies, and educational activities.

Inform staff about updates in policies, regulations, and clinical standards.

Support quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives.

Qualifications:

Licensure: Must hold a current Registered Nurse (RN) license in CT.

Experience: A minimum of 2 years in long-term care or rehabilitation nursing; experience in infection control, wound care, or education preferred.

Certifications:

Wound Care Certification (WCC, CWCN, or equivalent) - preferred or must be willing to obtain.

Infection Control Certification (CIC, IP-BC) - preferred or must be willing to obtain.

CPR/BLS certification - required.

Strong understanding of regulatory compliance (CMS, CDC, OSHA).

Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

Able to educate and motivate staff through hands-on collaboration.

Schedule:

Full-Time, Monday-Friday (day shift), with occasional evenings or weekends required for training or infection control responses.

Work Environment:

Skilled Nursing Facility with a combination of short-term rehabilitation and long-term care residents.

Collaborative team-oriented atmosphere.

Physical demands include walking, standing, lifting, and occasional inter-unit travel.

Benefits:

Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Health, dental, and vision insurance.

Generous paid time off (PTO) and holiday benefits.

401(k) with employer match.