Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse

Description

Lexington Regional Health Center

Title: Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse 

Effective Date: November 12, 2024

Department: Administration

Supervisor: Chief Facility Safety Officer

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assists with the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of hospital safety protocols and supporting infection control and employee health measures.
   
2. Participates in the development, execution and review of the written policies governing employee health and Infection Control policies and helps interpret them for employees.
3. Ensures the well-being of all employees and volunteers through health assessments, vaccinations, and wellness programs. The assessment includes a systematic and pertinent collection of data about the health status of the employee. 
4. Maintains a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors by implementing effective infection control practices.
5. Knowledge of current state, federal, and local laws and regulations governing employee healthcare and infection control needs.
6. Monitors and reports on infection rates and employee health rates within the facility.
   
7. Conducts regular infection control audits and inspections.
   
8. Educates staff on infection prevention and control and employee health practices.
   
9. Investigates, coordinates, and maintains a program to protect employees from all occupational disease hazards and protect patients from acquiring disease from employees.
   
10. Works with all departments and healthcare providers on various infection prevention or control efforts and infection rates.
    
11. Knowledge of activity restrictions appropriate to the severity of illness and works closely with Human Resources, Risk Management, and department directors on light duty and return to work notes.
    
12. Maintains records of infection control activities and compliance.
    
13. Completes Employee Health visits, maintains records, and provides necessary immunizations to employees as directed by hospital policy designed to identify and monitor risks to the employee’s health.
    
14. Performs communicable disease exposure follow-up to include counseling on appropriate options for treatment, ordering or treatment per policy, and appropriate follow-up.
    
15. Identifies and refers employees with personal health needs to their provider of choice when appropriate. Counsels employees on physical and mental health issues and guides them toward community resources and/or employee assistance programs.
    
16. Maintains and ensures confidentiality of patient information and medical records. Acts as an advocate for the rights of employees by ensuring access to preventative health and safety measures.
    
17. Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops.
    
18. Quality Assurance: participates in self-directed continued learning including: 
19. Participation in quality assurance review on a periodic basis, including systematic review of records and treatment plans;
20. Maintenance of current knowledge by attending education programs;
21. Maintenance of certification of compliance with current state law.
    
22. Participates in patient care activities that could include blood exposure and risk to bloodborne pathogens (eg: lacerations, handling of blood-contaminated specimens, etc.)
     
23. Responsible for safe bagging and disposal of biohazardous waste.
     
24. Responsible for following safe-injection practices.
     
25. Responsible for ensuring the environment meets appropriate governing body standards.
     
26. Responsible for proper collection, storage and labeling of biological specimens.
     
27. Ensure patients and visitors follow current infection control guidelines.
    
28. Attends meetings as required.
    
29. Serves on various committees as assigned.
     
30. Maintains patient and staff safety through the use of patient safety tools (TeamSTEPPS, Just Culture, etc).
     
31. Regular attendance at the assigned location is required.
     
32. Performs other duties as assigned. 

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities 

1. Medical knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical and cognate sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care; knowledge and understanding of patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health as is typically acquired through the completion of a an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited school. Bachelor's degree preferred.
   
2. Must hold a current active Registered Nurse license from the State of Nebraska or approved compact state of residence as defined by the Nebraska Nurse Practice Act.
   
3. Current Basic Life Support certification required.
   
4. Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred. Three years’ experience in infection control preferred.  
5. Understand and apply Federal, State and local laws and regulations in all areas of infection control and employee health to ensure Lexington Regional Health Center complies with all such laws and regulations. 
6. Knowledge of infection control and employee health practices to provide consultation in patient care. 
7. Attention to detail for up to 90% of work time when assessing, diagnosing and treating patients, synthesizing information related to patient care and accurately documenting care. 
8. Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to details when planning, implementing and evaluating professional care in infection control and employee health situations. Analyze infection related data, plan and implement strategies for infection prevention.   
9. Analytical and communication skills needed for collection, interpretation and reporting of infection control and employee health related data both within the facility and other groups as necessary. 
10. Analytical skills necessary to develop and implement effective infection control, employee health and safety services and problem-solving skills.
11. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to protected and sensitive information. 
12. Ability to complete reports and correspondence at a professional level 
13. Ability to immediately respond to common inquires and complaints from patients, employees, and regulatory agencies. 
14. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds. 
15. Successful completion of required knowledge and training of standard precaution and transmission protocols and when to apply during principal duties and responsibilities. 

Working Conditions:

1. Spends up to 90% of time at a computer/desk completing data entry and data analysis. The rest of time is completing rounds for infection control and employee health procedures and monitoring isolation and construction. Ambulating around facility is required to monitor isolation and construction, with an increase percentage of shift spent monitoring during times of high construction or high isolation.  
2. Spends up to 40% of day completing various desk/computer work, and the rest of shift moving around facility completing patient care activities. Patient transferring may be required, lifting up to 35 pounds to assist a stand pivot transfer. Completes various upper extremity gross motor functions for completing various patient care related activities, such as taking vitals, bracing, performing examinations, etc. Required to help assist in the event of emergency situations, including performing CPR which may require getting onto floor to assist. 
3. Requires transferring equipment to outside of room for infection control procedures, including filling carts with masks and gowns. Packets of masks and gowns weigh up to 1-2 pounds and will need to be transported up to 400 feet in distance to fill carts.  
4. Inventory takes place at least once per year to keep equipment up to date, stocking shelves of various heights from 1-2 inches off floor up to 80 inches from floor. Box weights range from 4 pounds up to 30 pounds.  
5. During situations that require a portable negative pressure room, employee is required to transport the portable negative pressure room including the filter, fan, and anteroom itself. System requires a two- person assist, one for steering and one for pulling, requiring up to 20 pounds of horizontal force and approximately 25-pound lift to hold room up for maneuvering up to 400 feet in distance. Transportation of filter weighing 19 pounds to rooms up to 400 feet in distance, and fan is required to be transported same distance with 8 pounds of horizontal force; however, the fan sits low to the ground, reaching 17 inches in height to be pushed. 
6. Exposure to chemicals and other hazards related to patient care. Appropriate safety precautions, such as safety glasses, gloves, etc. must be used to minimize risk of injury.  

7. Direct exposure to body substances during patient care activities and on contaminated
surfaces such as patient equipment.  

Management Responsibilities:

1. None

The above is intended to describe the general content of the requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. In no way does this job description implied or otherwise.