Infection Control Nurse
Peaks Healthcare
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The Lodge at Heritage Grove Estates in Topeka, KS is seeking a Registered Nurse to serve as the Infection Prevention Nurse. You will lead the facility's Infection Prevention and Control Program, ensuring CMS, CDC, OSHA, and KDADS/KDHE compliance while reducing infections and educating staff.
You will collaborate with Nursing leadership and interdisciplinary teams to maintain survey readiness, oversee immunization programs, and advance patient safety and quality outcomes throughout the facility.
Qualifications
- Graduate of an accredited nursing program with an active RN license in Kansas.
- Current CPR/BLS certification.
- Two years of nursing experience in skilled nursing/long-term care or hospital setting preferred.
- Infection prevention certification (CIC) preferred or obtainable within timeframe.
- Strong knowledge of CMS, CDC, OSHA guidelines and KDADS/KDHE requirements.
- Experience with infection surveillance, outbreak investigations, and regulatory compliance.
- Experience with EMR systems and infection surveillance reporting.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to educate interdisciplinary teams and lead initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and oversee Infection Prevention and Control Program per CMS F880 and Kansas regulations.
- Conduct surveillance, tracking, and analysis of infections and antibiotic use.
- Investigate outbreaks and implement timely interventions to reduce transmission.
- Monitor compliance with CDC/OSHA/CMS and state infection prevention standards.
- Perform rounds to identify improvement opportunities and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Educate staff on infection prevention, PPE, hand hygiene, and isolation procedures.
- Collaborate with leadership and departments to implement prevention initiatives.
- Ensure proper waste disposal, cleaning, and disinfection protocols.
- Maintain surveillance data, NHSN reporting when applicable, and regulatory docs.
- Report communicable diseases to local/state health agencies as required.
- Coordinate resident and employee immunization programs and TB screening.
- Participate in QAPI initiatives related to infection prevention and safety.
- Support survey preparation, audits, and corrective action plans.
Skills
Education
Job description
Why Join The Lodge at Heritage Grove Estates?
At The Lodge at Heritage Grove Estates, joining our team means more than accepting a position—it means becoming part of an organization that values your contributions, supports your professional growth, and recognizes the meaningful impact you make every day.
- Supportive, team-oriented environment
- Opportunities for advancement and career development
- Leadership that values and listens to staff
- Meaningful work where you truly make a difference
The Lodge at Heritage Grove Estates is seeking a knowledgeable and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN) to serve as our Infection Prevention Nurse. This clinical leadership role is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the facility's Infection Prevention and Control Program while ensuring compliance with CMS, CDC, OSHA, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and all applicable federal and state regulations.
The Infection Prevention Nurse works collaboratively with the Director of Nursing, Medical Director, interdisciplinary team, and facility leadership to reduce healthcare-associated infections, promote resident safety, educate staff, and maintain survey readiness. This position plays a vital role in protecting the health and well-being of residents, visitors, and employees through proactive infection surveillance, prevention strategies, and regulatory compliance.
Develop, implement, and oversee the facility's Infection Prevention and Control Program in accordance with CMS F880 and all applicable federal and Kansas regulations
Conduct ongoing surveillance, tracking, trending, and analysis of healthcare-associated infections, communicable diseases, and antibiotic utilization
Investigate infection outbreaks and implement timely interventions to reduce transmission risks and protect resident health
Monitor compliance with CDC, OSHA, CMS, KDADS, KDHE, and facility infection prevention standards
Conduct routine infection prevention rounds throughout the facility to identify opportunities for improvement and ensure regulatory compliance
Educate and train employees on infection prevention practices, bloodborne pathogens, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), standard and transmission-based precautions, and exposure prevention
Collaborate with nursing leadership, physicians, pharmacy, laboratory, environmental services, dietary, therapy, and other departments to implement infection prevention initiatives
Ensure proper isolation precautions, infectious waste disposal procedures, environmental cleaning, and disinfection protocols are consistently followed
Maintain accurate infection surveillance data, reports, logs, NHSN reporting (when applicable), and regulatory documentation
Report communicable and reportable diseases to local and state public health agencies as required
Coordinate resident and employee immunization programs, including influenza, COVID-19, pneumococcal, and other recommended vaccinations
Develop and oversee employee tuberculosis (TB) screening, exposure follow-up, and employee health monitoring programs
Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives related to infection prevention, resident safety, and quality outcomes
Assist with survey preparation, regulatory audits, corrective action plans, and infection prevention compliance reviews
Maintain confidentiality of resident and employee health information in accordance with HIPAA regulations
Serve as the facility's infection prevention subject matter expert and clinical resource for all departments
Graduate of an accredited nursing program with a current, active Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing in the State of Kansas
Current CPR or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
Minimum of two (2) years of nursing experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, hospital, or healthcare setting preferred
Infection Prevention certification (CIC) preferred or willingness to obtain certification within an established timeframe
Comprehensive knowledge of CMS regulations, CDC infection prevention guidelines, OSHA standards, KDADS regulations, and long-term care infection prevention requirements
Experience with infection surveillance, outbreak investigations, employee health, QAPI, and regulatory compliance preferred
Strong organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills
Excellent communication, leadership, and presentation skills with the ability to educate interdisciplinary teams
Proficiency with electronic medical records (EMR), Microsoft Office, and infection surveillance/reporting systems
Commitment to promoting resident safety, regulatory compliance, and clinical excellence
Competitive pay
401(k)
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Care Cash Program
Referral Bonus Program
Continuing education and professional development opportunities
Supportive and collaborative work environment
At The Lodge at Heritage Grove Estates, we are committed to developing clinical leaders who make a lasting impact on resident care. Whether you are expanding your expertise in infection prevention or advancing your nursing leadership career, we provide opportunities for continued education, mentorship, and professional growth.
The Lodge at Heritage Grove Estates proudly serves the Topeka, Kansas community by providing exceptional skilled nursing, rehabilitation, long-term care, and post-acute services. Our mission is centered on compassion, dignity, and clinical excellence while improving the quality of life for every resident we serve.
We foster a workplace culture where employees are valued, supported, and empowered to succeed—professionally and personally.
The Lodge at Heritage Grove Estates is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic in accordance with applicable laws.
The Lodge at Heritage Grove Estates is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. Applicants requiring assistance should contact Human Resources.
Ability to lift, transfer, and reposition residents (up to 50+ lbs. with assistance as needed)
Ability to stand, walk, bend, and perform physical tasks throughout the facility for extended periods
Ability to conduct infection prevention rounds and observe clinical practices across multiple departments
Ability to respond promptly to infection control concerns, outbreaks, and emergency situations
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