What are the responsibilities and job description for the Clinical Safety & Infection Prevention RN position at Physicians East?
Clinical Safety & Infection Prevention NurseClinical SafetyOSHA and Workplace SafetyEmployee Exposure ManagementCredential and Certification ComplianceEducation and TrainingAuditing and MonitoringEmergency PreparednessLicensureExperiencePreferred Certifications
Position Title: Clinical Safety & Infection Prevention Nurse
Department: Clinical Operations
Reports To: Chief Operations Officer and Director of Clinical Operations
FLSA Status: Exempt
The Clinical Safety & Infection Prevention Nurse supports a safe environment for patients, providers, staff, and visitors across the organization. This position is responsible for leading infection prevention efforts, supporting OSHA compliance, monitoring workplace and clinical safety practices, coordinating staff safety education, and helping ensure compliance with required clinical licenses and certifications.
Working collaboratively with physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing staff, managers, and operational leaders, this individual serves as a resource for infection prevention, employee safety, regulatory compliance, and risk reduction initiatives across multiple practice locations.
- Coordinate and maintain the organization's infection prevention program across all clinical locations.
- Monitor compliance with infection prevention standards and evidence-based practices.
- Conduct routine infection prevention audits and observations.
- Investigate infection control concerns and assist with corrective action plans when needed.
- Monitor trends and identify opportunities to reduce infection risk.
- Respond to communicable disease concerns and assist with outbreak management when appropriate.
- Serve as a resource for providers and staff regarding infection prevention best practices and CDC recommendations.
- Assist with implementation of new infection prevention guidelines and recommendations.
- Promote a culture of safety throughout the organization.
- Investigate safety events, near misses, and workplace incidents involving clinical operations.
- Conduct clinical safety rounds and observations at practice locations.
- Identify potential safety risks and collaborate with department leaders on mitigation strategies.
- Assist in the development and delivery of programs aimed at reducing patient and employee safety risks.
- Monitor trends and report findings to leadership.
- Serve as the organization's primary resource for OSHA-related requirements.
- Maintain and monitor programs related to:
- Bloodborne pathogens
- Exposure control
- Hazard communication
- PPE compliance
- Sharps safety
- Workplace injury prevention
- Conduct periodic safety inspections and environmental rounds.
- Track employee injuries, exposures, and safety incidents.
- Ensure required OSHA training is assigned and completed.
- Recommend interventions to improve workplace safety and reduce risk.
- Coordinate follow-up for employee exposure incidents, including needlestick injuries and bloodborne pathogen exposures.
- Ensure appropriate documentation and follow-up actions are completed.
- Assist with vaccination and exposure-related initiatives as needed.
- Work collaboratively with Human Resources and departmental leadership regarding employee safety concerns.
- Monitor required clinical licenses, certifications, and mandatory clinical training requirements for employees.
- Maintain tracking systems for nursing licenses, certifications, CPR/BLS, ACLS, radiology certifications, and other position-specific credentials.
- Notify employees and supervisors of upcoming renewal deadlines.
- Conduct periodic audits to verify compliance with organizational requirements.
- Prepare compliance reports for leadership and departmental managers.
- Collaborate with Human Resources, credentialing staff, and department leaders to address compliance gaps and expired credentials.
- Develop and provide education on:
- Infection prevention
- OSHA requirements
- Exposure prevention
- Workplace safety
- Clinical safety practices
- Emergency preparedness
- Participate in orientation and onboarding of clinical staff.
- Support annual competency and regulatory education programs.
- Promote awareness of safety expectations throughout the organization.
- Conduct routine audits of clinical and safety-related processes.
- Track audit findings and monitor completion of corrective actions.
- Maintain required records and documentation related to infection prevention and safety activities.
- Prepare reports and summaries for leadership as requested.
- Participate in emergency preparedness planning and drills.
- Assist with infection prevention and safety response planning during emergencies and public health events.
- Support organizational readiness efforts related to patient and staff safety.
- Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
- Current unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Current BLS certification.
- Minimum of five years of clinical nursing experience.
- Experience in infection prevention, occupational health, regulatory compliance, ambulatory care operations, employee health, or clinical safety preferred.
- Experience in a multi-site physician practice or outpatient healthcare setting strongly preferred.
- Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC)
- Certified Ambulatory Infection Preventionist (CAIP)
- Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS)
- Occupational Health Nursing Certification (COHN or COHN-S)
- Knowledge of infection prevention principles and current healthcare guidelines.
- Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety requirements.
- Strong organizational and follow-up skills.
- Ability to conduct investigations, audits, and compliance reviews.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to build productive relationships with providers, managers, and staff.
- Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
- Profici