Employee Health/Safety Nurse (LPN)

Policy Name

Employee Health & Safety Nurse (LPN)

Department

Administration

Effective Date

 09/24/2024

Last Revision

2024

Policy Owner

Human Resources

Job Title

Employee Health/Infection Control/Safety Nurse (LPN)

Job Description

To provide direct and indirect nursing care for MMC employees by identifying risks and hazards, assessing health status, and promoting overall health and well-being within the organization.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting and involves frequent telephone contact, as well as face-to-face communication with patients.  Interactions with others is constant and interruptive.  There is possible exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, bodily fluids, and other conditions common to medical practice.  Varied activities including walking, bending, reaching, lifting (up to 30 pounds), stooping, assisting patients and sitting for extended periods of time may occur.  Also, occasional stress from multiple responsibilities. 

Job Responsibilities

• Establishes and implements infection control and employee health orientation programs, alongside the departmental directors/admins/managers, throughout the facility.
• Assists with revising and updating policies and procedures within the organization related to infection control and employee health.
• Makes recommendations to Director of HR regarding procedures for pre-employment and on-boarding processes for employees.
• Participates in infection prevention and control education of all employees during orientation and annually thereafter, ex OSHA.
• Responsible for reporting all pre-employment testing and vaccination processes.
• Keeps current with CDC/TDH information and guidelines regarding any infectious outbreaks to assist with tracking and documenting patient and employee exposures and implementing appropriate infection control protocols.
• Attend required meetings.
• Reports to all CODES, supports the CODE team, i.e. call 911, direct patients, etc.
• Assists with employee testing for community-spread outbreaks, such as COVID-19.
• Performs communicable disease exposure follow-up. 
• Provides consultation and education to staff, physicians and leaders in respect to Infection Prevention & Control.
• Works closely with Human Resources to monitor employee work-related illness and injury trends.
• Assesses, develops and implements strategies to prevent work-acquired injury or illness and expedite return to work.
• Documents work related injuries and files work comp claims and works with employee through the process of the claim.
• Performs bloodborne pathogen exposure assessment, treatment and follow up.
• Keeps logs and documents required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Coordinates preventative screening programs (e.g. Influenza, Hepatitis B, MMR, varicella and other appropriate immunizations).
• Responsible for immunizations and TB skin tests given to MMC employees per protocol.
• Notifies the County and/or State Health Department of any reportable diseases, adhering to all internal county and state procedures. 
• Maintains and ensures confidentiality of employee information and medical records.
• Acts as an advocate for the rights of employees by ensuring access to preventative health and safety measures.
• Responsible for documenting/follow up all patient injuries at any work location(s).
• Works with facilities management to ensure cleaning procedures support infection control standards.
• Maintains all AED’s includes monthly walk through to check batteries.
• Works with Quality Committee to develop and implement continuously improved patient care procedures and control mechanisms relating to quality, compliance and infectious diseases.
•  Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Required Skills

• Advanced knowledge and skill in all aspects of immunizations for adults. 
• Knowledge and experience documenting patient care in an electronic medical record.
• Must be proficient and have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word).
• Ability to learn new software programs.
• Detail-oriented and capable of exploring innovative solutions to solve complex problems and address issues through the use of a combination of delivered and custom-developed tools.
• Ability to compile, categorize, or verify information/data.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situations.
• Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, and maintain a positive attitude.
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information.
• Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle difficult situations involving employees, patients, physicians, or others in a professional manner.

Education/Experience Requirements

• Current licensure as an LPN.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ clinical experience in healthcare required.

MMC Vision, Mission, and Values

Our vision is to be a leading contributor to community health through participation in programs that promote wellness, facilitate diagnosis, and enhance treatment of disease.

Our mission is to foster continuous improvement in community health through the delivery of quality, accessible medical and surgical care in a cost-effective manner to the residents of Middle Tennessee.

Our values guide our actions as we strive to carry out our mission.

• A progressive approach to advances in medicine and changes in the health care delivery system
• Responsive to patient and community needs
• Collaborative with other physicians, hospitals, allied health providers and the community in improving health care
• Professional, ethical and socially responsible
• Team-oriented management and leadership
• A positive, open and responsive work setting