Employee Health Nurse / Infection Preventionist

POSITION SUMMARY: The Employee Health Nurse / Infection Preventionist is responsible for coordinating and maintaining the hospital's employee health and infection prevention and control programs. This position promotes the health and safety of employees, patients, visitors, and the community by implementing evidence-based practices; monitoring occupational health risks; preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections; conducting surveillance; providing education; and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and regulatory requirements. This position works collaboratively across all departments and may serve as a key resource for infection prevention, employee health, occupational exposure management, staff education, and regulatory readiness. The Employee Health Nurse / Infection Preventionist maintains appropriate confidentiality of employee and patient information and collaborates with hospital leadership, medical staff, nursing, laboratory, environmental services, employee health resources, public health agencies, and other departments as needed. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: Develop, implement, and maintain the hospital's employee health program. Maintain confidential employee health records in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and hospital policy. Coordinate pre-employment and occupational health screening processes. Review employee health requirements related to immunizations, tuberculosis screening, respiratory protection, and other occupational health risks. Coordinate vaccination programs for employees, including influenza and other recommended vaccines. Monitor employee compliance with required health screenings, immunizations, and occupational health requirements. Provide counseling and education regarding workplace health and safety. Evaluate employees following occupational exposures and coordinate appropriate follow-up. Coordinate management of bloodborne pathogen exposures, needlestick injuries, and other potentially infectious exposures. Assist with return-to-work processes and work restrictions in collaboration with the employee's healthcare provider, administration, and Human Resources. Monitor employee illnesses that may affect patient or staff safety and make recommendations regarding work exclusion and return to work. Maintain appropriate documentation related to employee injuries, exposures, illnesses, and follow-up. Assist with respiratory protection program requirements, including medical clearance and fit-testing, as applicable. Identify occupational health trends and recommend preventive interventions. Infection Prevention and Control Serve as the hospital's designated Infection Preventionist and coordinate the infection prevention and control program. Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate infection prevention policies and procedures. Conduct ongoing surveillance for healthcare-associated infections and other infection prevention indicators appropriate to the hospital. Identify, investigate, and report suspected or confirmed healthcare-associated infections and outbreaks. Monitor infection trends and provide reports and recommendations to appropriate hospital committees and leadership. Conduct infection prevention risk assessments and assist with development of the hospital's annual infection prevention plan. Monitor compliance with hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, isolation precautions, environmental cleaning, sterilization, disinfection, injection safety, and other infection prevention practices. Collaborate with nursing, medical staff, laboratory, pharmacy, environmental services, dietary, rehabilitation, and other departments to reduce infection risks. Assist with development and implementation of outbreak response plans. Coordinate or assist with infection control measures during communicable disease outbreaks. Provide guidance regarding isolation precautions and transmission-based precautions. Review microbiology and other laboratory information for infection prevention purposes. Monitor antimicrobial resistance and other infection-related trends as appropriate. Participate in construction and renovation risk assessments related to infection prevention. Assist with evaluation of new equipment, products, procedures, and practices for infection prevention implications. Participate in environmental rounds and infection prevention audits. Provide recommendations for corrective action when infection prevention deficiencies are identified. Maintain appropriate infection prevention records, surveillance data, and reports. Minimum Qualifications: Current, unrestricted License Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the state of Kentucky. Graduate of an accredited nursing program. Clinical nursing experience, preferably including infection prevention, employee health, public health, acute care. Current BLS certification. Knowledge of applicable infection prevention and occupational health requirements. Preferred Qualifications: Previous experience as an Infection Preventionist, Employee Health Nurse, Occupational Health Nurse, or Public Health Nurse. Certification in Infection Control (CIC) or eligibility to obtain certification. Occupational Health Nurse certification (COHN/COHN-S) or related certification. Experience working in a Critical Access Hospital or rural healthcare setting. Experience with healthcare-associated infection surveillance and reporting. Experience with quality improvement and regulatory compliance. Benefits Offered: 403(b) 403(b) matching Health Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Flexible Spending Account Health Savings Account Short Term Disability Cancer, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity Paid Vacation Time Paid Sick Time Wellness Plan Weekdays 7:30 am - 4:00 pm