Infection Prevention/Employee Health Nurse - 0.8FTE

LADD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL•Osceola, WI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Infection Control Nurse coordinates, implements, oversees, and evaluates Osceola Medical Center’s Infection Prevention and Control Program to promote a safe environment for patients, employees, and visitors. The role provides leadership for infection prevention activities and collaborates with medical staff, nursing and department leaders, and frontline workforce members to reduce healthcare-related infections, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote patient and employee safety. Responsibilities include infection surveillance, infection prevention initiatives, antibiotic stewardship support, and compliance with DNV accreditation standards, CMS Conditions of Participation, Wisconsin regulations, and CDC guidelines. The position also coordinates Employee Health activities with Human Resources and Occupational Health providers. These activities include employee health screenings, immunizations, occupational infectious exposure follow-up, confidential health records, and support for respiratory protection and infection-related work restrictions. The position works on-site, primarily in a temperature-controlled environment, with potential exposure to infectious patients, harmful physical agents, and hazardous or toxic substances. The schedule is Monday through Thursday.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Registered Nursing program.
Minimum three years of clinical nursing experience.
Current, unrestricted Wisconsin Registered Nurse license.
Obtain a-IPC (Associate-Infection Prevention and Control) certification within two years.
Active BLS.
Knowledge of infection prevention principles, epidemiology, and healthcare-associated infection surveillance.
Understanding of applicable CMS, DNV, CDC, OSHA, and Wisconsin regulatory standards.
Strong data collection, analysis, and interpretation skills.
Strong communication, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
Ability to analyze infection prevention data, identify trends, and implement improvements.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines in a dynamic healthcare environment.
Ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and facilitate quality improvement initiatives.
Ability to function effectively in a rural healthcare environment where collaboration, flexibility, and cross-departmental support are essential.
Proficiency with electronic health records and infection prevention documentation.
Ability to walk and stand across the hospital.
Ability to occasionally lift, pull, and push up to 50 pounds.
Frequent use of hands to complete data entry and visual capability for extensive computer data entry, chart review, and monitoring detailed clinical operations.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
One year of leadership experience.
CIC (Certification in Infection Control) certification, or willingness to pursue it when eligible.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with healthcare professionals and the Quality committee to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive Infection Prevention and Control Program.
Conduct an annual Infection Prevention Risk Assessment and develop the Infection Prevention Plan.
Conduct surveillance; investigate, track, and report healthcare-associated infections and identified infection risks.
Monitor infection trends and implement evidence-based program goals, objectives, and performance measures.
Serve as the organization's infection prevention resource and consultant.
Investigate and manage infection prevention concerns, exposures, and outbreaks.
Engage in regional infection prevention programs in Wisconsin.
Prepare reports and statistical data for quality and compliance committees, medical staff committees, the medical executive committee, administration, and other committees as needed.
Support and ensure compliance with DNV, CMS, OSHA, CDC, Wisconsin DHS, and other regulatory requirements.
Develop, review, and maintain infection prevention policies, procedures, and protocols.
Conduct infection prevention audits, environmental rounds, and risk assessments.
Identify improvement opportunities and collaborate with leadership to implement corrective actions.
Participate in organizational quality improvement, patient safety, regulatory and accreditation readiness, and survey activities.
Maintain required infection prevention documentation and reporting, and serve as a subject matter expert during surveys.
Provide infection prevention education and competency validation, and serve as a clinical resource on infection prevention practices, isolation precautions, and communicable disease exposure management.
Collaborate with Occupational Health providers and Human Resources on employee exposure follow-up, communicable disease management, and infection-related work restrictions.
Promote staff accountability and adherence to established infection prevention standards.
Collaborate with physicians and pharmacists to support antimicrobial stewardship.
Coordinate Employee Health activities with Human Resources, Occupational Health providers, and department leaders, within nursing scope of practice and established policies and protocols.
Coordinate pre-placement and ongoing employee health screenings, review required health documentation, and arrange follow-up evaluation or referral as indicated.
Coordinate employee immunization services, review vaccination and immunity documentation, administer vaccines under authorized orders or protocols, and track completion of applicable requirements.
Coordinate timely assessment, documentation, referral, and follow-up for occupational infectious exposures, including blood and body fluid exposures, and facilitate access to indicated testing, counseling, and postexposure treatment through authorized providers.
Coordinate employee communicable disease reporting, symptom monitoring, infection-related work restrictions, and return-to-work guidance in consultation with Occupational Health providers and organizational policies.
Support the respiratory protection program by coordinating required medical evaluations, respirator fit testing, training, and related documentation with designated program personnel.
Maintain confidential employee health records with access limited to authorized personnel, and communicate only necessary clearance or restriction information to Human Resources and department leaders.
Educate employees on immunizations, exposure prevention and reporting, communicable illness reporting, and safe work practices.
Monitor employee health screening and immunization completion, occupational infectious exposure trends, and follow-up activities; provide aggregate reports and recommend improvements while protecting employee confidentiality.
Collaborate with nursing leadership, medical staff, Environmental Services, Laboratory, Employee and Occupational Health, and other departments.
Participate in and provide infection prevention reporting to designated organizational committees.
Assist with emergency preparedness planning related to infectious disease outbreaks and emerging health threats.
Promote a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and infection prevention throughout the organization.
Treat patients, visitors, and team members with dignity and respect; take ownership and follow through on commitments; adapt positively to change; contribute to trust, collaboration, and accountability; and act in support of OMC’s mission and values.