Infection Control & Occupational Health Nurse (Temp)

Responsibilities

POSITION SUMMARY

This position performs activities that support the Infection Prevention and Control and the Occupational Health functions within the organization.  Tracks and monitors Infection Control data and prepares reports as necessary for distribution house-wide. Provides primary health care services to employees, volunteers and residents.   Performs physical examinations; performs or orders diagnostic tests; establishes diagnosis.  Maintains Occupational Health records as required by regulation. 

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position.  However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

• Promotes the Mission, Vision and Core Values of Elizabeth Seton Children’s and incorporates values into daily practice.

Infection Control Responsibilities 

• Provide instruction and advice to staff on isolation and quarantine measures when appropriate. Provides education to staff on new/revised Infection Control policies.
• Assist in developing educational sessions on prevalent pathogens in the community or in the Center
• Track and survey infections throughout the facility and provides feedback as necessary. Prepare and distribute daily Infection Control Memo
• Monitor staff, visitor, and volunteer compliance with infection prevention and control measures and compliance with isolation procedures
• Provides real time staff education and in-services on IC topics including but not limited to EBP, Hand Hygiene, PPE use
• Tracks and reminds Neighborhoods and EVS about required Resident Room Terminal Clean
• Tracks and documents results of in-house Biofire Respiratory Viral Panel testing
• Conducts Infection Control audits and maintain records of results. Prepares trending analysis as needed.
• Performs weekly Autoclave sterilization of Dental Tools, sends weekly spore tests to outside vendor and manages Autoclave supplies
• Participates in infection prevention and control education of all employees during orientation and annually thereafter, including classes in infection prevention and control practices and employee health.
• Uses epidemiological principles and statistical methods to design, implement and evaluate infection prevention and control strategies.

 

Occupational Health Responsibilities

• Manages and supports the Occupational Health Coordinator’s role, as needed
• Assists with pre-employment testing and vaccination processes, annual N95/TB/ Influenza testing and/or vaccinations, and the management of potential blood exposures, employee illnesses and disease outbreaks.
• Responds to employee’s health needs and provides basic care including, but not limited to pain relief medication, blood pressure and glucose monitoring. Determine employee’s ability to continue to work and advise management/staffing as necessary.
• Assess documentation of employees returning from medical leave/absence and provides authorization for return to work. Advises department manager/staffing as necessary. 
• Performs Covid testing, as needed, on symptomatic employees and/or visitors
• Communicates Infection Control policies regarding Isolation Time required post illness, specifically for Covid-19 and Influenza, including test result documentation and Contact Tracing
• Responds to employees with potential blood borne pathogens exposure, in accordance with OSHA guidelines, and assures the employee receives medical treatment if needed.
• Provides initial assessment of employee work related injuries when appropriate and assures the employee receives medical treatment if needed. Coordinate transfer to higher level of care as needed and provides required documentation to Human Resources.
• Performs daily AED rounding, maintenance and supply management
• Assist with FIT testing program
• Maintain Employee Health files

Other related duties as may become necessary or as directed by your supervisor, department director, and/ or administrator.

Qualifications

Education Requirements:

• Licensed RN in the State of New York
• BSN or MPH in Epidemiology
• Board certified (or eligible for certification) by American Board for Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN) as Occupational Health Nurse preferred.
• Train as a DOH Health Commerce Systems user, and ability act as backup to the Director of Infection Control in submitting required weekly HERDS report
• Train as a CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) user, and act as backup to the Director of Infection Control in submitting required weekly NHSN report
• Complete Long Term Care Infection Preventionist Training course from with CDC

Experience

• Minimum three years clinical experience with at least 1 year in Infection Control or Occupational Heath preferred.
• Must have strong computer and research skills to ensure they remain up to date with new developments, best practices and standards of care within the field of healthcare.
• Requires excellent communication skills, eagerness to learn, flexible and able to function effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrates awareness of legal requirements pertinent to employee health and safety.

Employee Requirements:

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language fluently.
• Must meet or exceed all health standards and requirements for the position as established by NYDOH and all other regulatory agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this Center which includes a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of thirty-five (35) pounds.
• Perform tasks that may involve exposure to the resident’s blood/body fluids.
• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents, if necessary.

Working Conditions:

• Will work in a well-lighted and ventilated area.
• Will be subject to frequent interruptions.
• Must work on-site
• May be asked to work beyond normal working hours and/or weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

Hourly Rate:

$65.00/Hr.