Registered Nurse (RN) - Infection Preventionist

Overview

The Infection Preventionist is trained in hospital epidemiology principles and is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, interpretation and reporting of hospital acquired infections (HAI); educating employees about infection prevention; and the development of health system policies and procedures to insure rigorous infection control standards that meet Joint Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other nationally organized agencies recommendations and requirements

 

These are just a few highlights of being a nurse at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Clinics in New Hampshire.

 

• We have loan repayment up to $20,000.
• We offer Relocation Assistance and a Housing Coordinator to take on the burden of finding a home.
• We offer generous tuition reimbursement.
• We have a very popular "earned time" plan.
• We have extensive CEU/Training programs.
• Our 8,000 ft Patient Safety and Training Simulation Center is state-of-the-art.
• Our nurses serve as central figures in the success of our system through our shared governance nursing model.
• We offer a rigorous, research-focused environment.
• Dartmouth Hitchcock's Nursing Continuing Education Council is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing. education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

 

Why are we so unique? We are a nationally recognized Academic Medical Center set right in the middle of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We recognize that “quality of life” means different things to different people, but we are very confident you will love it here as we have beautiful, rural and suburban housing options, world-class primary, secondary, and graduate schools, hundreds of lakes, thousands of miles of hiking trails and some of the best skiing in the country. This all means you can be a happy nurse with more quality time with friends, family, pets or maybe just quiet hikes by yourself. Our idea of traffic in the “Upper Valley” of New Hampshire is a line on the ski mountain at the chair lift.

 

Read more about Dartmouth Health and why YOU should work here.

 

The Dartmouth Health system stretches over New Hampshire and Vermont and offers the quintessential New England experience. With no income or sales tax, this beautiful area combines history, industry, and business and has been ranked consistently as one of the best places in the US to live and work. Anchored by the academic Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, the system includes the NCI-designated Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth Health Children’s; member hospitals, and 30 Dartmouth Hitchcock ambulatory clinics across the region. With destinations like Boston, New York, the seacoast, and ski country within driving distance, the opportunities - both career and personal - truly make New Hampshire the ideal place to work and play.

 

Applicants are encouraged to visit our nursing career site to learn more and apply:

 

Please visit:  https://dhnursing.org/nursing-careers/

 

Dartmouth Health is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Responsibilities

Develops, reviews, and revises infection prevention policies and recommendations, in collaboration with other infection prevention staff and leaders. Works with assigned departments to incorporate infection prevention principles into local policies and procedures.

Participates in the development and presentation of orientation and education programs related to infection prevention and control for medical center personnel at all levels.

Coordinates and participates in the development and implementation of infection prevention and control programs and activities in assigned areas/departments, and monitors their effectiveness.

Contributes clinical knowledge in the design and implementation of improvements to infection prevention and control practices and in the design and delivery of education to support implementation.

Participates in development of the Infection Prevention and Control plan, and assists with medical center-wide implementation and education.

Provides consultation to individuals and departments regarding infection prevention and control problems or questions and conducts outbreak and/or case investigations.

Reviews laboratory reports and clinical data to identify and record healthcare associated infections that have been selected for ongoing surveillance. Applies definitions provided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or as modified by the Infection Prevention program. Collects and records additional information to enable data analysis for trends, unusual clusters or outbreaks.

Participates in analysis of healthcare-associated infection data, and in the development and dissemination of feedback.

Works with public health personnel to assure coordinated services for the prevention and control of infection, and assists public health authorities in the investigation of reportable infections.

Works with Occupational Health and Environmental Safety to promote infection prevention and respond to potential exposures among personnel and patients.

Understands and communicates current Joint Commission, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other regulatory requirements which relate to Infection Prevention and Control, and prepares for and participates in all surveys.

Maintains records of all infection prevention activities, including consultations and outbreak investigations. Develops, modifies, and uses templates for record keeping.

Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited Nursing Program required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing with 4 years of experience in a hospital setting required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Practical knowledge of epidemiology and basic infectious disease principles required.
• Demonstrates and utilizes a comprehensive understanding of the theory and principles of clinical infection prevention and control, and stays current on new evidence-based guidelines and major changes in the field.
• Infection prevention experience preferred.
• Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and FileMaker knowledge required.
• Demonstrated excellent written, oral and presentation skills with active and respectful listening skills desired.
• Demonstrated ability to interface collaboratively and effectively with physicians, administrators, nurses, other staff and students, representatives of regulatory bodies, consultants, and patients.

Required Licensure/Certifications

• Licensed Registered Nurse in New Hampshire or Vermont required, depending on state of practice
• Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) required within 2 years of employment.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate required.