Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

This position performs as a dual role as Nurse Educator and Infection Control Nurse. This role will service the Advanced Diagnostics Healthcare Systems Houston Hospitals, River Oaks, and Advanced East Houston Hospitals. The Nurse Educator role is crucial in the academic and professional development of practicing nurses. As Nurse Educator, the incumbent will evaluate, revise and design, as well as implement, educational programs tailored to help nurses excel in their careers. This role demands a balance of clinical expertise and educational theory to provide high-quality lifelong learning experiences.

This role will be responsible as the Infection Control Nurse, managing a range of employee health initiatives. These include tuberculosis testing & fit testing for safety equipment during employment pre-hire and overseeing the employee drug screening program. The ideal candidate will be passionate about teaching and committed to fostering a culture of learning within the healthcare environment. The incumbent will develop and implement wellness programs aimed at preventing illnesses and promoting health, including the administration of site-specific services performing the same at each of our Houston locations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

NURSE EDUCATOR

• Participate in staff orientation to the organization, the practices, clinical skill checkoffs, Annual competency completion, Maintain staff education files.
• Work closely with quality to help roll out the new quality initiatives, chart audits, help with KPI indicators and PI projects such as CIWA nursing assessment on for detox patients due to drug OD.
• Identify gaps in practice through competency assessment, observation, or available measures. Plan and implement strategies to address gaps through observation of employees and their practice, audits, and metrics that may indicate a gap or need for improvement.
• Provide guidance to staff in clinical project development and management (i.e., documentation gap, safe reporting techniques). Lead interprofessional teams to achieve organizational goals through involvement in shared governance.
• Collaborate with Quality team regarding patient safety events. Engages in action include evidence-based practice guidelines and disseminating necessary practice changes.
• Champion and lead innovative initiatives to obtain service line/department-specific focus or specialty designations, recognitions, or awards. Collaborates across the hospital and system in implementing change as appropriate, maintaining awareness of current changes in practice standards, and applying clinical practice settings.
• Complete and update the Performance Improvement (PI) plans on an on-going basis.
• Partners in collaboration with leadership of the service lines/specialty areas to promote staff accountability and effective decision-making, which includes coaching to provide feedback in an effective way.

• Empower nurses to seek feedback from peers, informally or through established teachings.
• Assesses department needs for training and respond accordingly. Schedule training programs and in-service for Clinical staff. Orient new staff members and provide on-going training for all Clinical staff.
• Follow through with new employees at regular intervals to determine the need for additional training and support.
• Responsible for determining staff education specific needs based on needs assessment.
• Assures that staff meets the required competencies, both annual and unit based on area of practice.
• Identify and develop strategies to facilitate a continuous process of maturation through lifelong learning.
• Provide orientation/onboarding programs to promote employee retention.
• Ability to work in a self-directed manner, collaborating and coordinating with health care professionals.
• Monitor safe working practices; provide education and coordinate with Safety Committee for corrective/preventive actions. Provide training for all facility staff. Research other training methods, materials, and resources.
• Actively assist and participate in the development and retention of staff through recruitment, training and nurturing the employees.

INFECTION CONTROL

• Develop and implement an annual Infection Prevention and Control Plan that outlines specific goals, objectives, and strategies to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and improve patient safety across the facility.
• Conduct routine audits and environmental rounds in patient care areas to ensure continuous compliance with The Joint Commission, CIHQ, and CMS standards.
• Perform daily surveillance and investigation of HAIs by interpreting lab results, reviewing patient charts, and applying NHSN infection classification definitions.
• Monitor and analyze infection prevention metrics (e.g., CAUTI, CLABSI, VAP, SSI) and report findings to hospital leadership, NHSN, and regulatory agencies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to assess and enhance infection control practices in high-risk areas, including the ICU, ER, and OR.
• Lead outbreak investigations and implement containment measures, such as isolation protocols, and contact tracing, to prevent disease spread.
• Deliver infection prevention training for new employees during orientation and provide ongoing education to staff on infection control updates, hand hygiene, and PPE use.
• Regularly audit high-level disinfection and sterilization processes for reusable medical equipment, ensuring strict regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate vaccination programs, such as influenza and COVID-19, for employees to prevent outbreaks and maintain workforce health.
• Participate in infection control committees and work with departments like Environmental Services and Facility Management to address infection-related concerns in cleaning, waste disposal, and construction.
• Implement and monitor hand hygiene initiatives, providing staff feedback and coaching based on direct observation and electronic monitoring.
• Manage antibiotic stewardship initiatives with the pharmacy team to reduce antibiotic resistance and promote responsible antibiotic use.
• Track and report communicable diseases to local, state, and federal public health agencies as required.
• Participate in and prepare documentation for accreditation surveys by The Joint Commission, CIHQ, and health department inspections, ensuring survey readiness.
• Evaluate and recommend new infection prevention technologies and products, assessing their effectiveness before implementation.

• Lead and participate in performance improvement initiatives to address infection prevention challenges, reduce HAIs, and achieve key performance indicators (KPIs).

REQUIREMENTS

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in Texas
• TX Driver’s License (good driving history)
• Minimum of 3-5years of clinical nursing experience, occupational health, employee wellness, or a related field required.
• 1+yrs Developing and directing orientation programs, in-services, and continuing education for the nursing and auxiliary staff of the organization.
• Experience building the occupational health function for an organization.
• Previous experience in medical documentation and familiarity with medical records systems is essential.
• Current up-to-date knowledge of nursing practices, anatomy, physiology, HIPAA regulations, and medical records management.
• Serve as a resource for nurses regarding clinical procedures, patient care protocols, and documentation requirements.
• The Certification in Infection Control (CIC) credential. (PREFERRED)
• ACLS, PALS and BLS (REQUIRED)

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science, Nursing degree is preferred.
• ADN from an accredited school of Nursing.

CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE

• Registered Nurse (RN) license
• ACLS, PALS and BLS (REQUIRED)
• TX Driver’s License

KNOWLEDGE SKILS AND ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of health and safety regulations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Compassionate and empathetic approach to patient care.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient and staff information, following HIPAA and other privacy laws.

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