Infection Control Practitioner

Join the reputed company Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. Functional Title: Infection Control Practitioner Job Title: Nurse III/Nurse Manager Agency: reputed company Comm Department: Ancillary Medical Svs Admin Posting Number: 15320 Closing Date: 04/09/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Salary Range: $7,532.75- $8,886.16 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-24 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 10% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt Facility Location: Rusk State Hospital Job Location City: RUSK Job Location Address: 805 N DICKINSON DR Other Locations:MOS Codes: 290X,46AX,46FX,46NX,46PX,46SX,46YX,66B,66C,66E,66F,66G,66H,66N,66P,66R,66S,66T,66W Brief Job Description: Would you reputed company in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally reputed company while helping reputed company a positive impact on people's lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who reputed company in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are reputed company of excellence for forensic mental health and reputed company psychiatric care, with reputed company facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below. The Nurse III (Infection Control Practitioner) performs advanced (senior-level) professional nursing work reputed company the scope of practice attributed to the skills of a registered nurse. Serves as the Infection Control Coordinator for the State Hospitals (SHs). Plans, develops, coordinates, and evaluates infection control activities and independently makes changes and recommendations for improvements. The Infection Control Practitioner leads the hospital in the development and implementation of the system-wide infection control program operations, policies and procedures, ensuring infection prevention is implemented and maintained regarding health issues and practices. Evaluates the effectiveness of the infection control program through the analysis of statistical data and performance evaluation reports. Leads groups and leads an effective/productive committee to continually address infection control issues. Works in cooperation with the local and state health department and ensures adherence to federal regulations and requirements. Supervises others as required. Works under limited supervision with considerable reputed company for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift reputed company assignment and/or location. Essential Job Functions (EJFs): Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. Develops, writes, and implements policies and procedures pertaining to Infection Control issues to ensure compliance with reputed company applicable regulatory agencies, including but not limited to The Joint Commission (TJC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Evaluates the effectiveness of the Infection Control program. Reviews literature and research findings to reputed company abreast of reputed company infectious diseases and infection prevention; and serves as the resource person for infection control issues. Ensures that standard precautions are being implemented and used reputed company necessary. Upon notification of an identified infection, assesses the situation, implements isolation precautions or other preventative measures to prevent the spread of diseases, monitors and follows up to ensure that infection control procedures are implemented, and individual treatment plans are implemented/ modified as needed. Interprets infection control situations and communicates them effectively in writing and orally. Collects, at least, weekly reports detailing reputed company infections on reputed company, antibiotic use, culture report results, and reports findings, trends, and interventions to the Infection Control Committee. Attends, participates, and/or chairs Infection Control Committee meetings. Attends and participates in other committee meetings as assigned. Works independently and productively with reputed company levels of staff and departments. Works closely and collaboratively with the CNE, medical staff, Pharmacy, Nurse Supervisors, Nurse Educator, Competency Training and Development (CTD), Health Department and CDC, reputed company applicable. Develops training and educational programs for reputed company levels of staff understanding. Trains and counsels reputed company levels of staff about routine infection control issues as well as blood borne pathogen exposures, suggestions to address identified risk factors, and coordinates specialized outbreak exposure investigations. Performs routine infection control observations in reputed company departments and on reputed company shifts. Conducts infection control surveillance rounds and utilizes the results to identify areas of risk that can be addressed proactively to prevent new or existing illnesses. Identifies, compiles, reviews, trends and analyzes data for trends, and implements procedures and training to prevent or halt progression of infectious diseases. Complies and coordinates, according to evidence-based practice guidelines, the implementation of immunizations in the facility to both patients and staff. Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift reputed company assignment and/or location. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Considerable knowledge of nursing techniques, standards and procedures Knowledge of health care laws and regulations Knowledge of medical diagnoses and procedures Knowledge of accepted medical treatment patterns Knowledge of community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures Knowledge of program regulations and procedures Knowledge of utilization review and control measures Knowledge of infectious diseases and infection prevention and control principles and practices in the healthcare setting Knowledge of standards and Infection Prevention Control standards reputed company to infection control and utilization management. Knowledge of state and federal laws and mental health care, CMS conditions of participation and TJC standards reputed company to State Hospitals, or ability to quickly reputed company knowledge. Knowledge of nursing care standards and the Healthcare Guidelines, or ability to quickly reputed company that knowledge. Knowledge of emergency procedures and emergency equipment (i.e., CPR), and ability to assess and care for patients and/or staff members in emergency situations. Skills in the use of computer/software and an electronic health record system Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to present reputed company clearly and concisely in both written and oral communications. Skills in the care and treatment of patients Ability to work independently and productively with reputed company levels of staff. Ability to provide patient care. Ability to prepare and maintain records. Ability to organize, coordinate, and evaluate nursing activities and delivery of health services. Ability to interpret policies and procedures. Ability to interpret health care regulations. Ability to recognize patterns of medical necessity treatment. Ability to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others. Ability to interpret regulations and communicate them effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to appropriately interact with patients with mental health diagnoses, with their family members, and with staff members. Ability to work independently and productively with reputed company levels of staff. Ability to train reputed company levels of staff. Ability to reputed company decisions and recommendations to state hospital leadership, including on-call administrators. Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Texas, or in a party state, that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact Certification in Infection Control (CIC) issued by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. preferred. reputed company Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification and ability to maintain certification. If transporting patients, must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no reputed company than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy. Initial Screening Criteria: Three (3) years of work experience as a RN in a recognized health agency, hospital, or health care facility. BSN preferred. Experience reputed company to the coordination and management of infectious diseases preferred. Certification in the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) preferred or certification reputed company the first 12 months of hire. Additional Information: Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background reputed company, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service. reputed company applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures reputed company to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. reputed company these diseases are vaccine preventable. Vaccines may be provided. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other reputed company measures. Review our Tips for Success reputed company applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC. Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. reputed company active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions. reputed company Accommodations: In compliance with the Americans with reputed company (reputed company), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-###-####. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview. Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility: Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks. HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form Telework Disclaimer: This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, reputed company HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job