Infection Control and Staff Development

NURSE MANAGER - STAFF DEVELOPMENT & INFECTION CONTROL

Department: Nursing
Reports to: Director of Nursing

Published Date: 7/01/2022

Approved by: Tressa Sanders, Director of HR

FLSA Status: Exempt/Non-Exempt (as applicable)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Nurse Manager - Staff Development and Infection Control functions under the supervision of the Director of Nursing and assists in the coordination, supervision, and evaluation of nursing services within the skilled nursing facility. The Nurse Manager supports the Director of Nursing in ensuring residents receive safe, effective, and resident-centered care consistent with physician orders, resident assessments, individualized care plans, and all federal, state, and local regulations governing long-term care facilities.

This position provides leadership in staff education, infection prevention, and clinical oversight while ensuring compliance with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Infection Prevention and Control regulation F880 , which requires facilities to establish and maintain an effective infection prevention and control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment and prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections.

The Nurse Manager assists in monitoring clinical operations, supervising nursing personnel, conducting staff training and competency validation, and supporting infection prevention practices throughout the facility. The Nurse Manager may assume unit management responsibilities as needed and serves as a clinical resource to nursing staff, residents, families, and interdisciplinary team members.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Nursing Leadership and Unit Management

• Assists the Director of Nursing in supervising nursing services and ensuring the delivery of quality resident care.
• Provides leadership, direction, and supervision to licensed nurses and nursing assistants.
• Conducts routine rounds to observe resident condition, evaluate care delivery, and monitor staff performance.
• Ensures physician orders are implemented accurately and timely.
• Reviews shift reports and documentation to identify changes in resident condition, incidents, admissions, transfers, or discharges.
• Coordinates staff assignments according to resident acuity and staff competency.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and care planning conferences.
• Ensures clinical documentation meets regulatory standards and facility policy.
• Assists with admissions, transfers, and discharges.
• Provides direct resident care when necessary.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinates orientation and onboarding programs for newly hired nursing staff and agency personnel.
• Develops and conducts in-service education programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and facility requirements.
• Assesses and validates clinical competencies of nursing staff.
• Maintains documentation of staff education, competencies, and required certifications.
• Identifies staff education needs through performance monitoring, regulatory updates, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Provides mentorship and coaching to promote professional growth and improve quality of care.
• Ensures staff compliance with mandatory training requirements including:
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Resident rights
  • Abuse and neglect prevention
  • Emergency preparedness
  • OSHA and workplace safety
• Collaborates with the Director of Nursing to support the facility's Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives.

INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL RESPONSIBILITIES

(CMS F880 Compliance)

• Assists in implementing and maintaining the facility's Infection Prevention and Control Program in accordance with CMS regulation F880 .
• Supports the Director of Nursing and/or designated Infection Preventionist in maintaining an infection control program that includes surveillance, prevention, control, and reporting of infections .
• Conducts infection surveillance and assists in tracking healthcare-associated infections within the facility.
• Monitors infection trends and assists in developing corrective actions and prevention strategies.
• Educates staff on infection prevention practices including:
  • Hand hygiene
  • Isolation precautions
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Environmental sanitation
  • Safe handling of contaminated materials
• Monitors staff compliance with infection control policies through observation and rounding.
• Assists in outbreak management and implementation of transmission-based precautions.
• Participates in reporting communicable diseases to public health authorities as required.
• Ensures compliance with CDC guidelines, OSHA standards, and CMS infection control regulations .
• Maintains infection surveillance logs, reports, and documentation for regulatory review and QAPI analysis.

INFECTION PREVENTION TRAINING & LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

(CMS & Michigan Compliance)

In accordance with CMS F880 Infection Prevention and Control requirements and applicable Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) standards , the individual responsible for infection prevention oversight must meet the following qualifications:

• The Nurse Manager designated to perform Infection Prevention responsibilities must complete specialized training in infection prevention and control .
• Training must include nationally recognized infection prevention education such as:
  • CDC infection control training
  • APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control) training
  • NAB-approved infection prevention education
  • Other CMS-recognized infection prevention programs.
• The Nurse Manager must demonstrate knowledge of infection surveillance, reporting requirements, prevention strategies, and outbreak management .
• Ongoing continuing education related to infection prevention must be maintained in accordance with CMS and Michigan regulatory requirements .
• The facility will ensure the Nurse Manager receives ongoing infection prevention education and competency validation as part of the Infection Prevention and Control Program.

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

• Participates in the facility's Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program .
• Assists in reviewing infection control data and clinical indicators to identify quality improvement opportunities.
• Supports preparation for state and federal regulatory surveys.
• Assists with corrective action plans related to infection prevention and regulatory compliance.
• Communicates policy updates and regulatory changes to nursing staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.

License

Current, active Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the State of Michigan with no restrictions.

Experience

• Minimum two (2) years experience providing direct resident care in a long-term care or skilled nursing facility preferred.
• Prior leadership or charge nurse experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of geriatric nursing practices and long-term care regulations.
• Knowledge of CMS Skilled Nursing Facility regulations including F880 Infection Prevention and Control .
• Understanding of infection surveillance, prevention, and outbreak response.
• Ability to supervise and motivate staff.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to recognize changes in resident condition and respond appropriately.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to move freely throughout the facility and respond to emergencies.
• Ability to assist residents with mobility and transfers.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, push, and pull during the workday.
• Ability to hear call lights and communicate clearly with residents and staff.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position operates within a skilled nursing facility environment and may involve exposure to:

• Infectious diseases
• Bodily fluids
• Combative or cognitively impaired residents
• Physically demanding tasks
• Emotional stress associated with long-term care and end-of-life care

Appropriate training, vaccinations, and personal protective equipment are provided in accordance with OSHA and facility policies.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Nurse Manager - Staff Development & Infection Control position and am able to perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Employee Signature: ___________________________________

Date: ___________________

Supervisor Signature: __________________________________

Date: ___________________