Quality Assurance Nurse (RN)

Position Overview: Iowa City Rehab and Health Care Center is seeking a dedicated and experienced RN Infection Preventionist to join our team in a management position. This dynamic role will combine infection control and prevention duties with resident assessments, staff education, and hands-on care as a floor nurse. The position will consist of infection control activities, performing resident assessments, educating staff when needed, and working two 8-hour shifts per week as a floor nurse. You will also be on-call every third week. As a member of our management team, you will play a critical role in ensuring the safety, well-being, and quality of care for our residents. Under the new leadership of Campbell Street Senior Living, we are committed to providing exceptional care and a supportive work environment for our team.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Infection Prevention & Control: Lead and manage the infection prevention and control program for the facility, developing, implementing, and maintaining infection control policies in compliance with healthcare regulations.
• Resident Assessments: Conduct comprehensive resident assessments, identifying potential health risks and creating individualized care plans to address infection control and other health concerns.
• Staff Education & Training: Provide ongoing education and training to staff on infection prevention practices, proper hand hygiene, isolation protocols, and other essential infection control measures.
• Floor Nurse Duties: Work two 8-hour shifts per week as a floor nurse, providing direct care to residents, managing medications, administering treatments, and ensuring residents' overall well-being.
• Outbreak Management: Lead the response to infection outbreaks, coordinating with staff to implement isolation protocols, report incidents, and manage containment efforts to minimize spread.
• Compliance & Documentation: Ensure the facility complies with all local, state, and federal regulations regarding infection prevention, documentation, and reporting. Complete infection surveillance and track infection trends, creating detailed reports as required.
• On-Call Duties: Be on-call every third week to manage any infection control-related emergencies and assist in nursing staff support.
• Collaboration with Healthcare Team: Work closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare staff to ensure effective infection control practices and high-quality resident care.
• Quality Improvement: Participate in quality improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance infection prevention measures and improving overall care practices.

Education Requirements & Qualifications:

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the state of Iowa.
• Bachelors degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
• Infection Control Certification (CIC) preferred, or the willingness to obtain certification within a specified time frame.
• Minimum of 3 years of nursing experience, with at least 1 year of experience in infection control or a related field.
• Previous management experience in a healthcare setting is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of infection control practices, healthcare regulations, and resident care.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in electronic health records (EHR) systems and infection control software.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Ability to educate, motivate, and lead staff in infection prevention protocols and overall care.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel as needed to assist with patient care and assessments.
• Ability to perform routine inspections of the facility and provide staff training.
• Ability to respond quickly in emergencies and manage infection control outbreaks.
• Must be able to work in a healthcare environment, including exposure to infection risks, medical supplies, and cleaning chemicals.