Employee Health RN

About North Country Healthcare (NCH):

North Country Healthcare is a non-profit affiliation of four medical facilities, Androscoggin Valley Hospital, North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, and Weeks Medical Center, located in the White Mountains Region of New Hampshire. NCH includes numerous physicians and medical providers at multiple locations. This leading comprehensive healthcare network which employs hundreds of highly-trained individuals delivers integrated patient care through three community hospitals, specialty clinics, and home health and hospice services. NCH remains committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Employee Health Nurse is a professional Registered Nurse that utilizes the nursing process (assessment, planning, intervention, documentation, and evaluation) to administer the Employee Health program and oversee the North Country Healthcare Workers’ Compensation and FMLA program from a clinical perspective. Responsibilities include but are not limited to; completing a pre-employment physical assessment and drug screen for all new employees, administration of appropriate vaccines to new hires and current staff, ensuring compliance with regulations regarding and respirator fit testing for clinical staff, administration and tracking flu vaccines, completion of occupational health evaluations and/or contacting physicians involved in treating employees with work related injuries to ensure employees return to work in a safe and timely manner, and for the upkeep and maintenance of all employee medical files; responsible for ensuring customer satisfaction and maintaining strict patient confidentiality. This role emphasizes advancing High-Reliability Organization (HRO) principles, embedding a culture of safety, accountability, and consistent high performance in nursing practice.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

· Bachelor's Degree in healthcare related field preferred, Registered Nurse required.

• Certification in Infection Prevention and/or Employee Health desired/preferred.

Licensure:

· Current NH registered nursing license required.

• Association* accredited course in Basic Life Support (BLS) (for clinical staff), or Heartsaver CPR AED (for nonclinical staff), and renewal on a regular basis, with up to a three-month grace period after the expiration date.

Skills:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (WORD, EXCEL, PowerPoint).
• Must have ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
• Must work effectively with others both inside and outside the organization.
• Must be able to travel outside the organization for meetings and conferences.

· Minimum of 3-5 years of nursing experience, with a focus on occupational health, public health, or employee wellness preferred.

• Demonstrated experience in administering vaccinations and managing immunization programs.

· Experience in designing and implementing health promotion initiatives and educational programs preferred.

· Familiarity with state and federal health regulations related to occupational health preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Employee Health. Review reports of employee needle stick injuries and/or body fluid exposures in accordance with BBP Exposure Prevention Plan.

2. Responsible for completing pre-employment physical assessments for all potential new employees. Based on assessment findings, clears the potential employee for work assignment or refers the individual to an occupational physician for further evaluation. Consults with physician and Human Resources regarding the potential employees ability to perform the duties of the job.

3. Conducts volunteer physical assessments as needed. Based on assessment findings notify volunteer coordinator of potential volunteer clearance.

4. Monitors and executes vaccination programs for both new hires and current staff including but not limited to Hepatitis-B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, and Varicella. Consults with Physician re: administration and standing orders. Maintains all employee health records.

5. Ensures compliance with Tuberculosis Prevention Program by conducting new hire ppd’s consulting with Physician for positive ppd’s and ordering chest x-rays, and monitoring any unprotected exposure by conducting both baseline and post-exposing testing. Maintains all employee health records.

6. Assists in the implementation of the Respiratory Protection Program by collaborating with other health team members in revising and developing policies to ensure the program’s effectiveness; collaborates with management to determine the financial and personnel resources and necessary equipment required to implement the program; collaborates with physician re: health respiratory protective devices and periodic program evaluation. Maintains all employee health records.

7. Facilitates the annual Flu Vaccine campaign to all Hospital employees, physicians and volunteers, students and contracted employees and maintains those records.

8. Monitors and coordinates work related injuries/illnesses and receives First Report of Injury forms. Coordinates modified duty program as an interim alternative for the employee with a temporary limited work capacity. Maintains all employee health records.

9. Determines real and potential health problems and hazards and works in conjunction with other organization personnel to develop and implement programs to reduce and/or eliminate these in the workplace. Assist with Safety Committee goals and specialized safety programs including, but not limited to, coordinating the monthly Sharps Prevention Committee.

10. Update Occupational Health policies as needed, maintaining current guidelines with regards to oversight agencies such as OSHA, CDC and CMS.

11. Monitor employee health records related to occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Monitor and advise on follow-up testing recommended. Maintain all employee health records.

12. Notify the State Health Department, CMO, CNO, Human Resources and the safety officer of any suspected or confirmed infectious disease outbreaks. Prepare written report summarizing actions taken during outbreak, effectiveness of said measures and resolution of outbreak.

13. Monitor employee illness trends, tracking and reporting when appropriate. Notify the appropriate responsible party of the risk and take action to ensure that risk is remediated in a reasonable timeframe.

14. Ensure that all policies are current and reflect best practices. Ensure that all policy changes are reviewed by appropriate, involved personnel in accordance with policy management procedures. Ensure that all significant policy changes are reviewed and approved by the Infection Prevention Committee. Ensure that all employees are appropriately in-serviced and trained when policy changes occur.

15. Professional Development Stay current on all relevant APIC, CDC, and DHHS standards, guidelines, and recommendations, as well as other professional literature and sources.

16. Keep abreast of current developments in Infection Prevention by:

• Attend State Infection Prevention (NHICEP) meetings, maintain communications with other Infection Prevention Practitioners, and participate in relevant email listservs.
• Acts as a trusted resource to others; becomes involved in decision making. Acts independently and responsibly on behalf of patients (customers/team) needs, problems and opportunities
• Maintain current reference materials related to Infection Prevention and make such material available to personnel.
• Review professional journals and websites for pertinent articles and distribute to appropriate personnel.