Educator and Infection Preventionist (RN) - Rehab New

Your experience matters: Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Fort Smith 

AtMercy Rehabilitation Hospital Fort Smith, we are driven by a profound commitment to prioritize your well-being so you can provide exceptional care to others. Here, you're not just valued as an employee, but as a person. As an Educator and Infection Preventionist registered nurse (RN) joining our team, you're embracing a vital mission dedicated to making communities healthier. Join us on this meaningful journey where your skills, compassion, and dedication will make a remarkable difference in the lives of those we serve.

Department/Unit Summary

Assumes responsibility and accountability for assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of education programs including clinical orientation of new employees.  Develops the annual hospital wide Infection Control Plan; evaluates the effectiveness of the program and reports findings to leadership and appropriate committees.

How you'll contribute 

You'll make an impact by utilizing your specialized plan-of-care intervention and serving as a patient-care innovator. You will shape exceptional patient journeys every day and leverage your skills and our cutting-edge technology to directly impact patient wellbeing. 

What we offer

Fundamental to providing great care is supporting and rewarding our team. In addition to your base compensation, this position also offers:  

• sign-on bonus 
• Shift differential 
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, plus flexible-spending and health- savings accounts  
• Competitive paid time off and extended illness bank package for full-time employees 
• Income-protection programs, such as life, accident, critical-injury insurance, short- and long-term disability, and identity theft coverage 
• Tuition reimbursement, loan assistance, and 401(k) matching  
• Employee assistance program including mental, physical, and financial wellness 
• Professional development and growth opportunities

Qualifications and responsibilities
Graduation from an accredited Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, Associate Degree in Nursing or Nursing Diploma program. Bachelors or Masters strongly preferred.

• Current state licensure as Registered Nurse.

• Demonstrated experience planning, coordinating, evaluating and/or directing educational activities of clinical personnel

• Minimum of 2 years' experience as a bedside RN

• CPR/BCLS certification. ACLS preferred.

• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.

• Meets all competencies required for registered nurse.
• Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates education programs and orientation of staff, students, volunteers and contracted nursing staff.
• Uses independent judgement to plan, create, implement and excecute training content and programs.
• Consistently provides input into individual staff development during the orientation process and on an ongoing basis.
• Designs individualized orientations based upon specific position and assessment of competency.
• Participates in establishing goals, objectives, policies and procedures for staff development.
• Ensures competency of all preceptors and participates in matching preceptors with new employees.
• Evaluates educational needs of staff through various methods including QI programs, safety occurrence monitoring, changes in patient population served, and annual needs assessment.
• Assesses, plans, develops, implements and evaluates ongoing competencies of staff based on need.

• Supports and aligns educational activities with best practice initiatives and hospital's quality improvement process.

• Serves as clinical education resource on current practices and procedures within the hospital. 

• In collaboration with hospital leadership and personnel from applicable departments or services, reviews and revises the program to improve outcomes.

• Responsible for coordination of CPR training and ensuring staff is compliant with current certifications

• Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff.

• Demonstrates ability to work collaboratively and lead work groups, committees and individual staff in organized and efficient manor to accomplish expected goals and outcomes.

• Demonstrates flexibility of schedule and utilizes creative strategies to meet the learning needs of staff on all shifts.

• Partners with CNO and Nurse Manager to promote individual and team accountability for learning.

• Functions as a resource for new staff as necessary during orientation period and ongoing as demonstrated through feedback tools from employee and preceptor.

• Develops reviews and recommends reference material based upon assessed needs of staff.

• Communicates and collaborates with colleagues on developing education standards, plans and initiatives.

• Individualizes and coordinates learning opportunities by using multiple strategies based on content, audience and complexity. Applies adult learning principles.

• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department.

• Along with HR, ensures staff education records are up to date.

• Other duties as assigned.

Infection Control Job specific:

• Drives and assumes ownership of Infection Control Plan and activities in the hospital.

• Excercises independent judgement in analyzing and trending infection data and creates a plan to reduce and prevent invetions.

• Funtions as the content expert on Infection Prevention and Control for the hospital incuding determining course of action, planning, implementing and ensuring compliance to the plan.

• Develops the annual hospital wide Infection Control Plan; evaluates the effectiveness of the program and reports findings to leadership and appropriate committees.

• Assures systems are in place to report infection surveillance, prevention and control information to:

  • appropriate staff in the hospital

  • federal, state and local public health authorities in accordance with law and regulation

  • accrediting bodies

  • other referring or receiving hospitals or organizations needing information regarding the presence of infection in a patient received or transferred

• Identifies potential sources of nosocomial infection and implements actions to eliminate the source; and evaluates infection data to distinguish between nosocomial and community-acquired infection.

• Assists in identifying, monitoring and controlling outbreaks of nosocomial infection among patient and hospital personnel.

• Maintains surveillance in order to collect, analyze and trend data; provides accurate and timely reports to the Director of Continuous Quality and Performance Improvement, leadership and appropriate committees.

• Assures the hospital implements infection prevention and control activities to reduce the risk of infections associated with medical equipment, devices and supplies.

• Acts as a resource to hospital personnel in implementing isolation techniques or other infection control measures.

• In collaboration with hospital leadership and personnel from applicable departments or services, reviews and revises the program to improve outcomes.

• Provides education for employees regarding infection control during orientation and ongoing in-services as required.

• Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff.

• Other duties as assigned.

Company Specific:

• Completes annual health, safety, and education requirements. Maintains professional growth and development.
• Maintains confidentiality of all patient and/or employee information to assure patient and/or employee rights are protected.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and the skills necessary to provide age appropriate care to the patient population served.
• Reports to work on time as scheduled; adheres to policies regarding notification of absence.
• Attends all mandatory in-services and staff meetings.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicated the mission, ethics, and goals of the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department.
• Maintains current licensure/certification for position, if applicable.
• Consistently demonstrates Guest Relation's skills to patients, physicians, visitors, employees, and any other individuals with whom they may come in contact.
• Consistently follows departmental and hospital Health, Safety, Security, Hazardous Materials policies and procedures.
• HIPAA: Conduct job responsibilities in accordance with HIPAA privacy laws, follow hospital policy in provision of patient confidentiality. Able to identify patient confidentiality issues and reports to proper hospital personnel immediately.
• Compliance: Conducts job responsibilities in accordance with standards set forth in Kindred's Code of Conduct, Kindred policy and procedures, applicable federal and state laws, and applicable standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Language Skills:

• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. 
• Additional languages preferred. 

Skills:

• Basic computer knowledge.
• Ability to maintain control and respond calmly and positively during crisis situations (i.e., Code Blue).
• Appropriate telephone communication skills.

Physical and Safety Requirements:

• Good general health and stress coping ability. Ability to walk or stand for periods of at least 8 hours.  Stooping, sitting, bending and carrying of items including the ability to lift or move patients.  Ability to clearly and effectively communicate with all constituents (patients, families, peers, and other healthcare team members) as needed for leadership, assessment, intervention, and professional development. 

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care. 

About our Health System 
Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Fort Smith is a 50 bed hospital located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and is part of Lifepoint Health, a diversified healthcare delivery network committed to making communities healthier® with acute care, rehabilitation, and behavioral health facilities from coast to coast. From your first day to your next career milestone-your experience matters.

EEOC Statement

Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Fort Smith is an Equal Opportunity Employer Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Fort Smith is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity for all applicants and employees and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in employment."