This is a repost.       *SIGN-ON BONUSES NOW BEING OFFERED*        A Sign-on bonus of $10,000 for the successful applicant(s) of this posting.  See eligibility for Sign-on Bonus below in the Supplemental and Contact Information section.         Per G.S. 126-5(cl) (37), this position is Exempt from all provisions of NC General Statute Chapter 126 (State Human Resources Act) with the exception of Articles 6 and 7.    "This position is designated mandatory and must report or stay over during adverse weather events."   The Nurse Consultant I -  Infection Preventionist works independently and in close association with the Director of Medical Services to provide control of infection throughout the facility.  Job duties include the following: * Participation in continuous quality improvement, consultation with clinical staff, Infection Control committee, planning and presentations, maintenance of continuous survey readiness, maintenance of the Infection Control policy manual, and routine reporting of infections to local and state agencies as required by NC state regulations. * Requires ethical and stringent adherence to timely infectious risk assessment, timely and effective communication of risk to affected parties and adherence to privacy and confidentiality regulations such that employees and individuals are not placed at increased risk of harm. * Ensuring the surveillance, prevention, identification, reporting investigation, and control of healthcare associated infections and other infectious and/or communicable diseases for all individuals, staff volunteers, visitors, and others who may provide services. * Position requires the ability to access, understand and utilize data bases of infection control standards, IC regulation and IC evidence-based guidelines.   * Possess the ability to use computer programs to graph, display and interpret data, trends, and outcomes; ability to develop or contribute to new or revised Infection Control policies, procedures and training that are focused and targeted for specific employee or individual audiences; ability to understand performance improvement concepts and apply them to infection control processes. * Position requires ethical and stringent adherence to timely infectious risk assessment, timely and effective communication of risk to affected parties and adherence to privacy and confidentiality regulations such that employees and individuals are not placed at increased risk of harm.  * Serves as educator, consultant, liaison, change agent, and chairperson for the Infection Prevention and Control Program and as a standing committee member/recorder for the Antibiotic Stewardship Program.   Working Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, M-F  (Hours include: rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays and as directed to meet the staff training needs and to manage outbreak investigations). Location: Central Hospital/Nursing Office About the Department of Health and Human Services / Caswell Developmental Center:   The NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, with approximately 18,000 employees.  In collaboration with its partners, it is responsible for ensuring the health, safety and well-being of all North Carolinians.   Caswell Developmental Center, serving as North Carolina's Eastern Region resource center, provides specialized residential, programmatic, and support services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The individuals we serve are at the heart of our facility.  Our team is critical to the mission of the facility.  We strive to create an environment in which every team member contributes to the overall success of the Center to positively impact the lives of those around them and the individuals we service. If you are looking to make a difference and seeking a rewarding career, we encourage you to consider this opportunity.   Please click on the following link: https://vimeo.com/185000006 to experience how Caring is Contagious at Caswell.   To receive credit for all your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. Qualified candidates must document on the application that they clearly possess all the following:  * Knowledgeable in the field of nursing, infection control and developmental disabilities. * Ability to use data analysis skills, and a working knowledge of statistical reporting.  * Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, it is necessary to interact in a professional manner with customers.  * Ability to develop, plan, and present ongoing educational programs on Infection Prevention to clinical and non-clinical staff. * Computer skills, research & basic statistical knowledge needed. * Effective oral and written communication skills. * Analytical and problem-solving skills are essential. * Demonstrated knowledge to identify issues, causes and problems and determine the significance of a problem that may require a policy be developed or revised. * Proven ability to respond to questions from internal staff, providers regarding issues. * Ability to work independently. * Must be organized and able to set priorities. * A valid NC Driver's License. Management Preferences (if applicable): * Graduate of a State Accredited Registered Nurse Program and licensed by N. C. Board of Nursing.  Minimum of five (5) years RN experience including two (2) years of infection control experience or an equivalent combination of education, including a BSN or MSN and 2 years of infection control experience. * Experience and certification in Infection Control Standards as well as providing training to individuals and groups desirable.  Must be able to successfully complete SPICE course in Infection Control within 1 year of employment, CPR, CPI, & DHHS Medication Administration Course and required competency/credentials." Physical Requirements (if applicable):  Position requires extended periods of reading and writing for policy and training material development.  Maximum physical effort may be necessary to provide medication/treatment administration, emergency response, provision of other direct clinical services and for routine walking to area divisions campus wide.Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience". If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience OR a combination of both.  See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details. Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of North Carolina and one year of experience in the area of specialization. Degrees must be from appropriately accredited colleges or universities    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Positions in the Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing and criminal record background checks. Also, the use of tobacco products of any kind including vapor products are prohibited from our campuses. All employees are required to adhere to the facility's Vaccination Policy.      The DHHS Division of Human Resources (DHR) follows the State Human Resources Employment of Relatives Policy.  Applicants who have relatives or people living in the same household, will not be considered for job vacancies in the DHR at those locations.  For a complete definition of immediate family member, please see the State Human Resources Workforce Planning, Recruitment and Selection Policy, Section 2, Page 38.     Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. You will either receive a call to schedule an interview or an email notifying you when the job has been filled.       For technical issues with your applications, please call the NEOGOV Help Line at 855-524-5627. Applicants will be communicated with, via email only, for updates on the status of their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at (252) 208-4293.    Eligibility for Sign-on Bonus Qualified applicants must be selected from the candidate pool of this posting and meet the State policy following requirements: A newly hired permanent full time or permanent part-time employee who works 30 to 40 hours per week is eligible for a sign-on bonus (this will be prorated for employees working less than 40 hours per week). An employee is not eligible for a sign-on bonus if: (1) the employee has held a position in North Carolina State government, including the judicial system, or the University of North Carolina system within the last 12 months (the employee shall remain ineligible for 12 months from the separation date); (2) the employee has previously received a sign-on bonus from any State agency; (3) or DHHS has paid any contract placement or recruitment fees. This Sign-on Bonus is contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. Additional information regarding the Sign-on Policy can be found https://oshr.nc.gov/documents/sign-and-retention-bonus-policy/open         Compensation & Benefits:   The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits.  Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).  Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.  In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.  Visit website for State Benefits