Registered Nurse - Infection Prevention and Occupational Health - USA Health Shared Services

Overview

USA Health is Transforming Medicine along the Gulf Coast to care for the unique needs of our community. USA Health is changing how medical care, education, and research impact the health of people who live in Mobile and the surrounding area. Our team of doctors, advanced care providers, nurses, therapists, and researchers provides the region's most advanced medicine at multiple facilities, campuses, clinics, and classrooms. We offer patients convenient access to innovative treatments and advancements that improve the health and overall well-being of our community.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate infection prevention and control needs for USA Health System and USA Health Physicians Enterprise.
• Support surveillance, investigation, and response to healthcare-associated infections within the USA Health System and employee exposures for USA Health Physicians Enterprise.
• Support infection risk assessments for USA Health Physicians Enterprise.
• Conduct post-operative patient care calls for high-risk procedures to enhance and support post-surgical care practices prior to clinic follow up visit.
• Promote evidence-based practices related to infection prevention, occupational health, and environment of care safety; provide leaders feedback based on routine environment of care rounds for USA Health Physicians Enterprise.
• Complete Alabama Department of Health Report Cards via RedCap to ensure reportable conditions are reported in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with departmental leaders, clinical teams, and employee health onboarding to ensure consistent practices.
• Conduct annual Fit Testing for USA Health Physicians Enterprise staff members to ensure employee safety as it relates to the USA Health Respiratory Protection Program.
• Conduct routine environment of care rounds within the USA Health Physicians Enterprise clinics to ensure a safe environment of care based on CDC, OSHA, and Joint Commission standards.
• Provide education, consultation, and guidance to staff and leaders on infection prevention and occupational health topics.
• Contribute to data analysis, reporting needs, and quality improvement initiatives for both USA Health System and USA Health Physicians Enterprise.
• Track and trend occupational health exposures to identify potential opportunities for improvement for USA Health Physicians Enterprise.
• Provide education and consultation related to the following: safe injection practices and medication handling, point-of-care testing and specimen handling, cleaning/disinfection of equipment and the environment of care, hand hygiene monitoring and compliance, PPE selection and appropriate use.
• Manage staff exposures, immunization compliance (e.g., annual influenza vaccination), and return-to-work guidance for USA Health Physicians Enterprise staff members.
• Serve as a resource during outbreaks, emerging infectious threats, and public health events.
• Completes all mandatory department, educational and hospital requirements
• Adheres to current Infection Control and Safety Standards
• Regular and prompt attendance
• Ability to work schedule as defined and overtime as required
• Related duties as assigned
  
  
  

Additional Information

Employees must be in a regular position, working 20 hours or more per week (.50 FTE or greater) to qualify for benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in nursing, allied health, physical or natural science, or a related field and 4 years of related experience in an acute care setting Required OR
• Master's Degree may substitute for up to one year of the required experience Preferred
• Certification in Infection Prevention & Control (CIPC) Preferred
• Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) Preferred
• Licensure in clinical field of study - if clinical degree Required
• Comparable combination of education and experience may substitute for the above requirements.
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Intermediate proficiency with office software (Microsoft Office) including word processing and spreadsheet software (Word, Excel) MediumIntermediate proficiency with office software (Microsoft Office) including word processing and spreadsheet software (Word, Excel) Medium
• Basic use of computers, printers, monitors, patient care devices, and Fax machines HighBasic use of computers, printers, monitors, patient care devices, and Fax machines High
• Healthcare epidemiology concepts, including transmission dynamics and risk assessment. MediumHealthcare epidemiology concepts, including transmission dynamics and risk assessment. Medium
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, organizational skills, and able to adapt to rapidly changing environment. HighExcellent interpersonal communication skills, organizational skills, and able to adapt to rapidly changing environment. High
• Strong organizational and time management skills. MediumStrong organizational and time management skills. Medium
• Ability to balance planned work (rounding, education, audits, data presentations) with unplanned events such as exposures, outbreaks, or regulatory inquiries requiring immediate attention. MediumAbility to balance planned work (rounding, education, audits, data presentations) with unplanned events such as exposures, outbreaks, or regulatory inquiries requiring immediate attention. Medium
• Maintain productivity while working independently with minimal supervision. MediumMaintain productivity while working independently with minimal supervision. Medium
  
  
  

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

The University of South Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable legally protected basis. EO Employer – minorities/females/veterans/disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity.