Occupational Health Nurse

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position serves as the Occupational Health Nurse and represents the university in this capacity by focusing on promotion and restoration of health, prevention of illness and injury, and protection from occupational hazards. This position serves multiple University of Colorado communities, including CU Medicine health care professionals, researchers, animal care providers, and service personnel. The Occupational Health Nurse provides an integrated approach to delivery of comprehensive, quality occupational health services conducting consultative and clinical services for a wide variety of health care, research, educational, and support organizations. The position provides preventive occupational health and medical surveillance services to CU Medicine health care providers and staff as well the CU Anschutz researchers and support staff. Responsibilities include new employee onboarding, health hazard assessment, immunization review and administration, respiratory medical evaluation for respirator use, CU Medicine site visits with oversight and evaluation of point of care testing, supervision of ancillary staff, injury/illness consultation, promotion of intervention strategies, and assuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards. The Occupational Health Nurse advocates for employees fostering equitable and quality health care services and safe and healthy environments in which to work. The position works closely with and fosters strong working relationships with the CU Medicine health care providers and staff, including doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and nursing assistants as well as the CU Anschutz research community.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited institution.
A current license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Colorado or ability to obtain a Colorado license within 90 days of hiring.
Minimum of 3 years of experience as an RN.
Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
Outstanding customer service skills.
Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance diversity and inclusion.
Knowledge of federal, state and local requirements that govern occupational health care and employee health records in an academic institution or health care setting.
Ability to determine when an MD or supervisor needs to be alerted to situations, and which circumstances need Medical advice before proceeding with action.
Ability to perform phlebotomy, vaccinations, and patient assessments.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in working with researchers, healthcare professionals, administrators, employees, environmental health and safety staff, and regulatory agencies.
Excellent computer skills with such programs as Microsoft Office, including the ability to write policies and procedures in Word, create and maintain spreadsheets with formulas in Excel, create presentations in PowerPoint, and use Outlook daily for email and time management.
Proficient in Epic electronic medical record documentation and use.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain collegial and cooperative relationships with CU Medicine health care provers and staff as well as members of the research and animal care staff, and Occupational Health, EHS divisions and Anschutz Health and Wellness Center staff.
Ability to represent the department in a highly professional manner.
Assist management with maintaining Occupational Health clinic inventory, ensuring vaccines and supplies are stocked and accounted for appropriately.
Strong organizational, time management and attention to detail skills.
Must be willing and able to pass a pre or post placement physical and a drug test.
The incumbent is required to respond after hours during emergencies and report to work for regular assigned shifts during emergency campus closures.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from an accredited College or University with a Graduate Nursing degree may substitute for two years of experience.
Recognition as a Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN) by the American Board of Occupational Health Nursing.
Experience in workplace/occupational health issues.
Experience in providing occupational health services in support of research protocols involving Center for Disease Control and National Institute of Health Animal Use Research guidelines.

Responsibilities

Implements components of the health assessment for new employee onboarding, ensuring effectiveness within the regulatory guidelines of governmental organizations and accrediting bodies.
Collaborates with a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and specialists to identify adverse health exposures in the work environment; design and implement appropriate intervention strategies to improve worker health and safety.
Collaborates with the Industrial Hygienist to identify associates needing respiratory fit testing.
Performs clinical interventions such as immunization administration, venipuncture, push-pull test, Ishihara test for color deficiency, drug test administration, and clinical consultation.
Responsible for clinical documentation on record keeping and communicative platforms.
Provides patient communication, documentation of results, and overall surveillance for the hearing conservation program.
Ensures Occupational Health mandated requirements are upheld and are integrated into policies, programs, and training.
Stays up to date with new and improved standards for occupational health care.
Monitors execution of ancillary staff functions.
Provides support to the overall operations of the Occupational Health program, perform health screening and assessment of researchers working with infectious diseases acquired from live animals, animal tissues, excreta and allergens and other health risks associated with laboratory animal care and research activities in collaboration with and advice from medical director.
Make referrals and work with University Risk Management for follow up and treatment.