Nurse Clinician

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI) is seeking a Nurse Clinician to join our team!

This position may qualify for a recruitment payment. Current state employees are not eligible for recruitment payments upon transfer, demotion, or promotion to another agency.

The Nurse Clinician ensures compliance with all state and federal regulatory requirements02021

and that all patient care documentation and operational procedures adhere to federal, state, and accreditation standards (e.g., The Joint Commission, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). The Nurse Clinician uses their clinical background to audit, educate, and implement corrective actions to improve overall care and operations. This position will also serve as the facility’s Infection Preventionist.

Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Audit and Monitor: Conduct regular audits of medical records, clinical documentation quality of care, and facility operations.
• Regulatory Adherence: Ensure compliance with HIPAA, OSHA, TJC, CMS, and other state-specific healthcare regulations.
• Policy Development, Review, and Revision: Assist in developing, reviewing, and revising policy/procedure based on evidence-based practice and regulations.
• Staff Education: Educate staff on compliance requirements, policy/procedure, and best practice to prevent errors.
• Risk Mitigation: Investigate patient/facility safety incidents, compliance concerns, and develop corrective action plans.
• Regulatory Liaison: Monitor on-going compliance, maintain a survey ready environment, prepare for and support external accreditation surveys and inspections, and respond to findings with corrective action plans.
• Infection Preventionist: Identify, investigate, monitor, and report healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) to reduce risks for patients, staff, and visitors. Conduct surveillance, educate staff, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards to prevent disease transmission. Submit required data to national and/or public health agencies. Participate in construction planning, renovation, and environmental hazard assessment to manage infection risks. Work with the Employee Health Coordinator to manage staff exposures and prevent the transmission of communicable diseases.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Chair the Performance Improvement, Infection Prevention, and Joint Commission Workgroup committees. Participate as an active member in hospital-wide committees to include Safety, Medical Executive, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Staff Development, and other ad hoc committees. Work closely with all departments of the facility to ensure compliance with all regulatory standards.

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

CMHI provides active inpatient treatment to adults in need of acute psychiatric care. The facility offers several services includingindividualized treatment plans. Support for patients with special education needs to continue their education is provided, and individuals are encouraged to collaborate with staff members in formulating their own plan. Medication, group counseling, and activities therapies might be included as well. For more CMHI info: https://hhs.iowa.gov/family-community/specialty-care-facilities/cherokee-mental-health-institute

Benefits of Joining CMHI

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
• Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation(96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
• Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.

For additional information on benefits click here.

Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

Cherokee Highlights

CMHI is located in Cherokee, a city of approximately 5,000 set in the beautiful Little Sioux River Valley in Northwest Iowa. Residents enjoy fishing and canoeing on the Little Sioux River which winds through town providing a backdrop to a well-developed parks and trails system. In addition, Cherokee has over 1,000 acres of land devoted to parks and outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and horseback riding. Cherokee is the home of the first accredited museum and planetarium in Iowa, Sandford Museum and Planetarium, established in 1951. Cherokee may be the smallest town in the world to have its own symphony orchestra! This 60-member orchestra has been referred to as the “best kept secret in Northwest Iowa.”

Cherokee is home to Western Iowa Tech Community College and 1 hour or less from other educational institutions including Morningside College, Northwestern College, Buena Vista University, and Dordt College. This quintessential Iowa town is 1 hour from Sioux City and 2 hours from Omaha. Check out these 10 Reasons to Move to Iowa. 

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the HHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.