Infection Prevention and Employee Health Specialist

Ocean Beach Health•Ilwaco, WA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Join the Ocean Beach Health Team as an Infection Prevention and Employee Health Specialist! Are you a compassionate, skilled nurse looking to make a meaningful impact? Ocean Beach Health is seeking a Infection Prevention and Employee Health Specialist to join our team. This is your opportunity to be part of a mission-driven, community-focused organization dedicated to providing exceptional patient care in a supportive, welcoming environment. The Infection Control isolates sources of infection, educates people to reduce the spread of infection, and devises strategies to prevent future outbreaks. This position helps reduce the spread of infectious disease within a hospital facility. Infection control will review bacterial cultures from infected patients and attempt to determine how the infection might have been contracted and what methods can be employed to prevent the spread of the infection to other patients. The infection control will provide instructions to nurses, doctors, and hospital staff to ensure that they are using effective sanitation procedures and sanitary health care practices. If an infection quickly spreads within a health care facility or an especially dangerous infection appears the infection control is responsible for notifying Pacific County Public Health and the Department of Health. Employee Health monitors and maintains the health history of staff at Ocean Beach Health and supports a safe, healthy workforce across the organization. This role oversees employee health screening, immunization and exposure compliance, illness trend monitoring, return-to-work guidance, and follow-up related to communicable disease prevention and occupational exposures. The position promotes employee wellness through education, policy support, and collaboration with leaders, Human Resources, and clinical departments. Employee Health records are maintained separately from Human Resources records.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree in nursing
Minimum two years' experience in a healthcare organization
APIC 101 required within 3 months of employment
Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology within two years after employment
Healthcare provider BLS

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and evaluate the organizational infection prevention program.
Facilitate the quarterly Infection Prevention committee meeting.
Maintain surveillance tools and practices to identify reportable and healthcare associated infections consistent with NHSN and current standards of practice.
Maintain documentation and records to support analysis of trends.
Develop an annual surveillance plan based on the population(s) served, services provided, and analysis of surveillance data.
Utilize epidemiologic principles to conduct surveillance and investigations.
Evaluate and modify the surveillance plan as necessary.
Develop, interpret and assist with implementation of infection prevention and control policies and protocols.
Communicate infection prevention and control information and data to various committees and healthcare workers across the organization as assigned.
Be familiar with infection prevention software and other technology.
Collaborate with IT to create meaningful electronic reports to enhance infection prevention initiatives.
Assess and address learning needs of those served.
Evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs and learner outcomes.
Comply with licensing, accreditation, and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state and federal levels.
Advise and facilitate others regarding compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
Represent the hospital during state and federal surveys
Stay current on infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards.
Consult and collaborate, as needed, with local, state, and federal public health officials, and community health organizations
Be familiar with infection prevention software and other technology.
Meet with new employees during onboarding to review employee health requirements, immunization standards, exposure protocols, and sick call procedures.
Attending New Employee Orientation as requested and providing education regarding employee health services, infection prevention expectations, and workplace wellness resources.
Collect, review, and maintain documentation of required health screenings, immunizations, lab testing, respirator or other occupational health requirements, and other compliance items for employees, contractors, and volunteers in accordance with policies and procedures.
Monitor the employee sick line and other reports of illness, provide guidance on work restrictions and return-to-work criteria, and escalate concerns consistent with policy and public health guidance.
Document employee health information in the designated Employee Health software and maintain records with appropriate confidentiality and separation from Human Resources files.
Perform bloodborne pathogen and other occupational exposure assessments, facilitate treatment and follow-up, and coordinate required documentation and monitoring.
Track and report employee illness, exposure, and immunization trends; identify opportunities to improve workforce health and reduce transmission risk.
Support employee wellness initiatives through education, collaboration, and policy development related to occupational health, communicable disease prevention, and staff safety.
Participate in committees and interdisciplinary workgroups as assigned, including reporting employee health data and contributing to policy and procedure review and revision.