Veterans Home Infection Preventionist and Wound Care Nurse - LPN/RN

Infection Prevention

• Ensure sources of infections are isolated to limit spread of infectious organisms.
• Develop and maintain programs to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment.
• Prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections.
• Collaborate with facility leadership and the medical director to develop, implement, and evaluate annual infection prevention goals and action plan.
• Partner with facility leaders, physicians, local, state, and national agencies on activities related to infection prevention.
• Maintain employee health regarding bloodborne pathogen exposure, TB testing, and influenza vaccination.
• Create and oversee facility-wide system for the prevention, identification, investigation, and control of infections of residents, staff, and visitors, including surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they spread.
• Conduct outbreak investigations.
• Create and present IPCP in-service education for individual departments, general orientation, and annual review as needed.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and appropriate issues.
• Enforce policies prohibiting staff with communicable diseases from direct contact with residents and their food, as well as enforce hygiene policies consistent with accepted standards of practices.
• Serve as a member of QAPI.
• Monitor healthcare and community-acquired infections for residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
• Maintain records; follow verbal and written instructions; operate medical equipment; make reports on observations; apply nursing techniques and practices; work effectively with residents and staff; communicate information clearly and concisely.

Wound Care

• Perform all skin checks and document findings.
• Educate staff on wound care protocols.
• Create and update wound care plans.
• Perform procedures: debridement, cleaning/dressing wounds, packing, wound vac, diabetic foot care, ostomy and suprapubic cares.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team for skin interventions.
• In coordination with the provider, write nursing orders promoting wound healing.

Additional Benefits:

• Onsite low cost housing may be available, cost is dependent on square footage.
• Reduced tuition for continuing education.

Qualifications

• Licensed as a LPN or RN, RN preferred, and able to work in South Dakota.
• Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree.
• Strong clinical assessment and communication skills.
• Experience in infection control and wound care preferred.
• Infection Prevention and Wound Care Certification preferred.
• Nursing level depends on qualifications and experience of the incumbent.

Knowledge Of Professional Nursing Theory and practices; professional nursing applicable to the area of assignment; clinical procedures.

Ability To maintain records; follow verbal and written instructions; operate medical equipment; make reports on observations; apply nursing techniques and practices; work effectively with residents and staff; communicate information clearly and concisely.