Healthcare Associated Infections Unit/Infection Prevention Control (HAI IPC Nurse)-Registered Nurse

Full Job Description

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Headquarters - Remote / This job posting is associated with three positions.

1) Provide infection prevention and control education, guidance and recommendations to healthcare and select non-healthcare facilities, and regional DPH staff.

Collaboration with healthcare providers to ensure proper infection control practices are followed in healthcare settings and to report infectious diseases.

Analyze situations and make informed decisions based on evidence-based practices.

Assist facilities with building their IP program to include risk assessment and assist with antibiotic stewardship.2) Plan, develop, and perform activities of the CDC's Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR), utilize the CDC's tools to assess IPC practices in dialysis settings and for other identified healthcare facilities.

Coordinate and conduct on-site IPC visits with facilities. Maintain written/electronic reports of assessments to infection control for facilities with tailored timely recommendations.

Collects and records data for IPC activities and to support performance measures for grant activities.3) Investigate, assess infection control practices and assist with colonization screenings as needed for MDRO containment and response.

Assist with proactive point prevalence surveys. Participate in planning and response activities for infectious disease outbreaks, including pandemic preparedness.

Conduct investigations of suspected outbreaks, including contact tracing, isolating cases, and implementing control measures. Support immunization campaigns through education of providers.

Perform risk assessments and mitigation by identifying potential infection risks and implementing strategies to mitigate the risk.4) Develop and present infection prevention training and compliance with best practices in collaboration with the CO HAI team for healthcare and select non-healthcare providers and regional DPH staff.5) Assist with Medical Needs Shelter (MNS) operations, maintains supportive nursing practice competencies to include, but not limited to, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal best practice injection administration, oral medication administration, and client emergency response including First Aid, CPR and AED, and be willing and available to assist during times of public health emergency and outbreak response efforts.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

State Minimum Requirements: Licensure as a registered nurse by the South Carolina Board of Nursing.

Additional Agency Requirements - Graduation from accredited school of nursing with an Associate's and/or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and related nursing experience.

Current active license as a Registered Nurse by the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina.

Four (4) years of experience as a Registered Nurse, one (1) year of which must have been in an acute care nursing specialty or in infectious disease.

Experience using Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel and Power Point).

DPH employees are required to participate in disaster preparedness during hazardous weather or declaration of an emergency.

This involves being subject to duty and or call on a 24-hour basis.You must possess a valid driver's license and have access to a reliable transportation.This position may require working early (before 8:30 am), evening (after 5:00 pm) and/or Saturday's.Ability to lift 30 pounds and stand for long periods of time, if required.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS: All new employees who are healthcare providers with job-specific exposure risk are required to provide documentation of immunity or be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, varicella, and Hepatitis B prior to beginning employment.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application.

Please note that the agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

Institutions of higher learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

If you are a current nursing student or recent nursing graduate and will obtain all nursing credentials within six (6) months, you are encouraged to apply!!

Applicants who are pending earned degrees within six (6) months may upload an unofficial copy of your transcript as an attachment to the application. The agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring.

Applicants with pending degrees are considered contingent until their graduation, successful completion of National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) if new graduate, and review of official transcripts.

Offers will be rescinded if required information is not received within six (6) months from the application date.

CURRENT NURSING STUDENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED:

Current nursing students or recent graduates will be considered prior to graduation and/or obtaining their nursing license should they meet all position requirements and provide proof of the obtained degree, transcripts, and nursing license within six (6) months of applying.

Otherwise the offer will be rescinded.

Additional Information

EEO:

The Department of Public Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.

DRIVING RECORD:

If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record.

WORK/LIFE BALANCE:

If you are looking for work/life balance, this is the place to be. Easy pace, terrific area to raise a family, low cost of living, beautiful area – close to the beaches and the mountains. Low median cost of living, low taxes, and excellent school systems.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that include:
Health, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse & Children
15 Days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
15 Days Sick Leave per year
13 Paid Holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave (PPL) Six Weeks for mother per year/Two Weeks for partner per year
State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Program

REMOTE WORK: The option to work partially remote or adjusted work hours may be available after six (6) months of employment for approved positions.