Infection Control Nurse

The Lodge at Heritage Grove Estates (SNF); Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Care Cash Program

Referral Bonus Program

Continuing education opportunities

Job summary

The Lodge at Heritage Grove Estates in Topeka, KS seeks an experienced RN to serve as Infection Prevention Nurse. This clinical leadership role develops and oversees the facility’s Infection Prevention and Control Program, ensuring CMS and state regulatory compliance, staff education, and proactive prevention across the resident population.

Collaborate with Nursing Director, Medical Director, and multidisciplinary teams to reduce infections, enhance resident safety, and maintain survey

Qualifications

• RN license active in the State of Kansas
• CPR/BLS certification current
• Minimum 2 years nursing experience in healthcare
• Infection prevention certification (CIC) preferred or willingness to obtain
• Strong knowledge of CMS, CDC, OSHA, KDADS, KDHE requirements
• Experience with infection surveillance and regulatory compliance
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Proficiency with EMR and infection surveillance systems

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the Infection Prevention and Control Program
• Perform infection surveillance, tracking, and analysis
• Investigate outbreaks and implement containment measures
• Ensure compliance with CMS, CDC, OSHA, KDADS, and KDHE standards
• Provide education to staff on infection prevention practices
• Collaborate with nursing leadership and other departments
• Maintain NHSN reporting and regulatory documentation
• Coordinate vaccination programs and employee health monitoring
• Lead QA/QI initiatives related to infection prevention

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education coordination

Training staff

Education

Nursing degree

Tools

EMR

Microsoft Office

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

Position Overview (Infection Prevention Nurse)

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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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

Qualifications

• 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

Benefits

• 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

Grow With Us

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.

About Us

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Reasonable Accommodation

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.

Physical Requirements

• 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