Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Dallas is one of the premier behavioral health hospitals providing inpatient psychiatric treatment for adolescents, adults, as well as senior adults. We are located on 22 acres within the DFW metroplex in Garland, Texas. We offer relaxed, serene, and empowered surroundings to our patients. We strive to build a fully integrated, effective behavioral health care system.
Job Summary:
Perimeter Behavioral Hospital of Dallas is seeking an Infection Control Nurse/Clinical Educator to be responsible for coordinating the activities of the Infection Control Program, assuming direct responsibility for infection surveillance and reporting, and providing technical support and education for the hospital staff. The Infection Control Nurse/Educator is also responsible for assisting the CNO in evaluating, reviewing, designing, and implementing hospital training events with respect to all RN/MHT staff required training.
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION:
- A graduate of an appropriately accredited school of nursing, licensed by the State of Texas to practice as an RN, and demonstrates an understanding of the principles of epidemiology and infectious disease in the hospital.
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited school in nursing is preferred.
- Experience as an infection control nurse in a psychiatric hospital setting.
- Must be Licensed and Registered in the State of Texas as a Registered Nurse.
- Complete knowledge of crisis intervention techniques, restraint and seclusion, and ability to prepare and present training events as directed for Nursing Services.
- Completion of training in Handle with Care and CPR within 10 days of employment.
- May be required to work occasional weekends and/or other hours; conduct weekend training as needed.
STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE – Infection Control
Surveillance
- Develops and maintains a method of identifying and recording known or suspected communicable infections in patients and employees.
- Carries out periodic inspections to ensure that procedures for the control of infections are being followed correctly.
- Collects and maintains statistical data of value in the identification and control of infections.
- Maintains close liaison with the public health service and local physicians to identify patients with infections that become apparent after discharge from the hospital.
- Your duties as Infection Control Officer shall include, but are not limited to:
- Acting as the chairperson of the Infection Control Committee on findings, recommendations, actions, and monitoring. You shall meet with such committee at least quarterly.
- Documenting the infection prevention and control program surveillance, prevention, and control activities.
- Developing and implementing hospital-wide infection surveillance, prevention, and control policies and procedures that adhere to nationally recognized guidelines.
- Preventing and controlling health care–associated infections, including auditing adherence to infection prevention and control policies and procedures by hospital staff, including medical staff.
- Coordinating the activities of the Infection Prevention and Control Program, assuming direct responsibility for infection surveillance and reporting and providing technical support and education to Hospital staff during their orientation to the Hospital and annually thereafter.
- Communicating and collaborating with the antibiotic stewardship program.
Reporting
- Prepares monthly reports and reports to the Infection Control Committee that includes data on infection rates by nursing unit and type of infection.
- Reports unusual clusters or outbreaks of infection to the Committee and conducts investigations as appropriate.
- Monitors employee illnesses and reports number and type to the Infection Control Committee.
- Reporting State/CDC required infectious diseases.
- Reporting COVID requires data to the NHSN.
- Stay up to date on research with CDC and WHO changes.
Controlling
- Helps to control the spread of infection in accordance with infection control policies and procedures by ascertaining the nature of the infection and the steps to be followed and judges their degree of implementation.
- Identifies the needs for intervention in the care of patients and employees with infections and contacts the appropriate individuals when necessary.
Education and Consultation
- Participates in infection control education of all employees including classes in infection control practices and employee health.
- Acts as consultant in infection control for the Nursing Department assisting with assessing patient infection control problems, planning and evaluating the care of the patient and making recommendations for home care on discharge.
- Assists hospital departments in developing and implementing infection control policies and procedures.
- Assists the ongoing review of antibiotic usage as needed.
Standards of Performance – Educator:
- Regularly facilitates and/or conducts required training classes with all Nursing Services staff.
- Works closely with the CNO and Nursing Supervisors to review current education and training needs.
- Recommends improvements to training programs as needed or as identified.
- Provides ongoing RN Nursing Education to staff on a variety of topics directly related to performance improvement initiatives, Joint Commission and other State or Federal Regulatory Agency standards/requirements.
- Provides feedback to the Performance Improvement Committee, reporting staff education and recommendations for improvements.
- Research current best practices among other institutions/facilities to ensure the hospital is providing the most recent and best practices with respect to staff education and training.
- Meets with all new Nursing staff new employees to ensure a complete orientation to Nursing Services.
- Other tasks as assigned.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPECIAL DEMANDS
- Ability to stand or walk for up to six hours, sit for up to two hours.
- The ability to spend 20% of the workday outdoors in temperatures varying from 30 F. to 100 F. and 80% of the workday indoors in temperatures varying from 60 F. to 85 F.
- Ability to occasionally push/pull wheeled carts from 200 lbs. (i.e. crash carts, patient on stretchers or in wheelchairs).
- The ability to frequently lift and carry up to 10 pounds; occasionally lift and carry up to 100 pounds.
- Ability to see well enough to read written materials.
- Ability to discern a variety of odors.
- Ability to handle hazardous/infectious waste on an occasional basis.
- The ability to work in an environment where the noise level is frequently high; where chemicals are frequently used in cleaning; where mechanical and electrical hazards may occasionally be present; and where dust, mist, and steam are frequently generated in housekeeping tasks.
- Ability to respond to exposure to blood and body fluids.
Perimeter Healthcare is one of the leading mental and behavioral health care providers in the country. We deliver hope to our patients through the delivery of comprehensive and dedicated treatment programs. Our focus and commitment to service excellence is available across several states and different care settings. Our team ensures you receive the required care that you or your loved one needs. We offer several settings for our patients including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers as well as outpatient counseling and therapies.
EEOWe are committed to providing an environment of diversity and inclusion where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and fellow employees. Perimeter Behavioral Health is an equal opportunity employer regarding all recruitment, training, and selection processes within the company regarding race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
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