Infection Control Coordinator/Employee Health Nurse

Infection Control Coordinator/Employee Health Nurse RN

Position Details:
Full-Time Position
Monday - Friday

Combined Core Functions

• Infection Control Core Functions:
  • Develop, implement, and maintain the hospital’s infection prevention and control program in compliance with CDC, TJC, DNV, OSHA, CMS, DOH, and other regulatory standards.
  • Perform surveillance and reporting of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) using data from rounds, lab results, and other sources; complete NHSN reports accurately and on time.
  • Investigate infection trends, outbreaks, and clusters; recommend and implement corrective actions.
  • Review cultures, sensitivities, and patient charts to identify HAIs and initiate appropriate isolation precautions.
  • Monitor and evaluate asepsis, sterilization, disinfection, and environmental cleaning practices throughout the facility.
  • Develop, review, and update infection control policies and procedures annually and as needed.
  • Provide education and training on infection prevention for all staff, including orientation for new employees.
  • Serve as a resource and consultant for clinical and non-clinical departments on infection control issues.
  • Report communicable diseases to local and state health authorities in compliance with regulations.
  • Prepare and present infection control data and reports to hospital committees and leadership.
  • Participate in performance improvement activities and infection reduction strategies.
  • Monitor construction projects for infection control risk and ensure compliance with preplanning and barrier protocols.
  • Maintain accurate records of HAIs and employee exposure incidents; assist with Employee Health follow-up.
  • Stay current with infection prevention standards and recommend updates to practices and policies.
• Employee Health Core Functions
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Employee Health practices and standards.
  • Develop, review, and revise Employee Health policies and procedures.
  • Implement systems to identify, investigate, report, and prevent staff injuries and exposures.
  • Manage follow-up for accidental exposure incidents and contribute to program development.
  • Submit timely and accurate reports to the Public Health Department.
  • Communicate relevant data to Performance Improvement, EOC, medical staff, and MEC.
  • Maintain accurate and confidential Employee Health records.
  • Assist with in-service education and training related to Employee Health.
  • Prepare and present quarterly statistics and reports.
  • Conduct special studies and propose improvements to Employee Health programs.
  • Review and obtain approval for Employee Health Manual policies every two years.
  • Remain accessible to departments via voicemail, pager, or in person for health-related concerns.
  • Stay informed on evolving Employee Health regulations and ensure timely compliance.
  • Foster effective communication and collaboration with all healthcare team members.
  • Understand local fire/safety regulations and hospital departmental functions.
  • Provide age-appropriate care across pediatric, geriatric, and general populations.

Safety Practices

• Infection Control/Employee Health Safety Practices:
  • Promotes a culture of patient safety that results in the identification and reduction of unsafe practices.
  • Utilizes Culture of Safety survey responses in improvement efforts.
  • Identifies risks and hazards to patients through various risk assessments, with actions taken to mitigate patient harm.
  • Improves medication safety practices, including increased reporting of adverse drug events and improved compliance with the medication reconciliation process.
  • Decreased, hospital-acquired infections and improved compliance with infection control practices (including hand hygiene).
  • Decreased hospital acquired conditions such as complications associated with ventilator use and pressure ulcers, through improved compliance with patient safety bundles and/or other formal performance improvement programs.

Professional Responsibility

• Infection Control Coordinator/Employee Health Nurse Professional Responsibilities:
  • Maintain professional appearance and adhere to dress code.
  • Complete annual education and meet all regulatory requirements.
  • Protect confidentiality of patient and employee information.
  • Report to work as scheduled and wear identification while on duty.
  • Attend annual performance review and required committee meetings.
  • Conduct infection control in-service training for staff.
  • Communicate effectively with all departments and maintain open lines of communication.
  • Prioritize tasks and take appropriate action independently.
  • Participate in performance improvement activities and infection reduction strategies.
  • Remain receptive to new methods for reducing hospital-acquired infections.
  • Demonstrate professional growth through continuing education and involvement in professional organizations.
  • Represent the organization positively and uphold ethical business practices.
  • Communicate and support the mission, ethics, and goals of the facility.
  • Provide age-appropriate care for patients from pediatrics to geriatrics.

Qualifications:

• Education
  • RN associate's degree in nursing required
• Experience:
  • 2 years of RN/Nursing clinical experience preferred.
  • 2 years of hospital infection control experience preferred.
  • 5 years in a supervisory role or infection control and/or Employee Health position preferred
• Licenses/Certificates
  • Current RN license in the State of Texas.
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
  • Certification in Infection Control (CIC) required or must obtain within 2 years of hire.
  • Active member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
• Skills
  • Strong understanding of microbiology, epidemiology, infectious diseases, aseptic techniques, and current infection prevention practices.
  • Working knowledge of regulatory standards (CDC, TJC, DNV, OSHA, CMS, DOH).
  • Basic computer proficiency including spreadsheets and creating reports.
  • Participating and presentations during meetings.
  • Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English; additional languages preferred.