POSITION SUMMARY
The Employee Health Nurse (EHN) is responsible for advocating for the health and safety to all employees by facilitating and directing an Employee Health Program which includes disease detection, prevention, and treatment; following up employee illnesses and injuries; conducting employee health screenings; and, to promote a safe work environment. The EHN will have knowledge of OSHA, Joint Commission and immunization compliance standards as related to employee health.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Reviews new hire health questionnaires and conducts screenings to include health history and updates immunization requirements.
- Refers employees with identifiable limitations and/or health risks to appropriate resources (e.g. workman’s compensation, occupation therapy, physical therapy, provider appointments, mental health, etc.).
- Design and initiate employee health promotion initiatives that provide incentives and educational materials resulting in a healthier employee population.
- Prevents injuries and illnesses by analyzing historical records; researching occupational literature; recommending measures to reduce risks of injury or illnesses.
- Collaborate with Department Heads and Managers to facilitate the Workman’s Compensation Back to Work Program (refer to HR policy).
- Monitors, trends, and provides follow-up of employee exposures to blood borne pathogens. Maintains accurate and current data base of these exposures.
- Plans, implements and conducts annual Employee Influenza Vaccine Program. Plans and implements other vaccine programs as directed by TCRHCC policy, to include Tetanus, Pneumovax, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, and MMR.
- Conducts Tuberculosis (TB) screening for all employees and volunteers according to the Hospital TB control plan and/or at least annually. Conducts follow-up skin testing for all employee TB exposures.
- Maintains the employee respiratory protection program including but not limited to mask fits and testing (N95 and Max Air). This includes annual training and updates.
- Monitors employee absenteeism statistics by tracking attendance; following-up with the employee and the employee’s supervisor.
- Maintains summaries and written reports required for employee illness/injury reporting.
- Plans and implements annual TB and blood borne pathogen training to employees in required departments.
- Provides education on an as needed basis regarding hand washing and isolation practices.
- Strives to manage situations in a reduced risk manner. Functions autonomously within the Registered Nurse (RN) scope of practice but follows TCRHCC’s clinical practice policies and procedures in accordance with the Nursing Division Administrative oversight and medical bylaws.
- Demonstrates awareness of an adherence to legal requirements pertinent to employee health and safety.
- Maintains health records for current employees. Arranges for storage of former employee records and maintains a listing of such employees.
- Participates as an active member on hospital-wide committees at the request of senior level management.
- Assists with the compilation of data and computer input for the employee health and TCRHCC databases.
- Conducts new employee orientation on Employee Health.
- Works directly with the Human Resource Department, Employee Health (EH) program policy and procedure development, fiscal year budget management and ensures compliance with all aspects of the EH program.
- Monitor, screen, log, and interact with employees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and complete tracking process as related to Communicable Disease Policy and Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
- Complete fit testing training, PPE, donning and doffing training, PPE evaluation and review for employees and contractors of the organization.
- Reconcile, retain, and organize all employee health files and update the immunization software system to maintain compliance to JC standards and regulations.
- Complete all reports and policies for employee health and deliver to organization as needed. (Covid-19 data, immunization numbers, and PI related documentation).
- Ensure proper PPE is worn at all times while on duty including but not limited to, face mask, gloves, gown, isolation gown, NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator or higher, if available), and eye or face shield.
- Complete all donning and doffing tasks in a safe acceptable method and discard of used PPE accordingly. (see CDC website for most current updates)
- Complete task training for all routine cleaning and decontamination processes for all surfaces contaminated by a communicable disease to ensure a high level of patient, visitor, employee and external customer satisfaction.
- Performs other related duties.
PROBLEM SOLVING
Considerable judgment and the ability to work independently is a requirement. Guidelines for performing work are often scarce or limited; therefore, considerable initiative and resourcefulness must be applied in deviating from traditional methods and practices and recommending new or substantially modified methods, criteria, or policies. Must be willing to work toward successful resolution for improvement of patient care and staff development.
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFORT
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical:
Involves prolonged hours of sitting in an office setting operating a personal computer, as well as movement throughout the hospital. Distant travel may be required to conferences/trainings/meetings. Moderate bending, lifting, standing, and walking would be required while working in clinical setting. Must be able to sit; talk or hear; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel prolonged periods of time. Must be able to reach with hands and arms. Other physical abilities include standing, walking, push/pull, and, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Position does require the ability to taste and smell at times. Must be able to lift to 25 pounds and push/pull more than 100 pounds occasionally re: W/C or cart. Must be have close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; and, depth perception. Must be able to adjust to focus. Must be able to hear alarms; client calls; instruction from physician/department staff; and, overhead pages over a loudspeaker. Requires repetitive motion actions regarding rarely both feet; prolonged both hands; prolonged both hands in grasping: light/simple; prolonged both hands fine dexterity; and, intermittent both hands grasping firm/heavy.
Mental:
Duties are wide in scope and encompass a variety of decision-making, analytical thought, and review. Performs a variety of difficult and complex tasks. Requires ability to deal relatively independently with interrelated elements to resolve problems, complications, and controversial matters. Requires extensive and expert knowledge of professional nursing and personnel management.
Environmental:
This position may intermittently require working near moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; and toxic or caustic chemicals. This position typically works in a quiet to moderate environmental noise level.
IMPACT
The Employee Health Nurse is involved in the daily multidisciplinary and collaborative efforts within all facets of healthcare and functions as a consultant, educator, role model, researcher, and change agent.
NAVAJO/INDIAN PREFERENCE
TCRHCC is located within the Navajo Nation and has implemented a Navajo/Indian Preference in Employment Policy. Pursuant to this Policy, applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for this position and who are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation or another federally recognized Indian tribe will be given preference in hiring and employment for this position.
APPLICATION DECLARATION
In performance of their respective tasks and duties, all employees at TCRHCC are expected to conform to the following:
- Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
- Interact in an honest, trustworthy, and dependable manner with patients, employees, and vendors.
- Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity.
All employees must fully uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care. This position has access to sensitive information and a breach of these principles may be grounds for immediate termination.
I have read the qualifications and requirements for the position of Employee Health Nurse. To the best of my knowledge, I believe I can perform these duties.
|
NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
- A valid, current, full and unrestricted Professional Nursing License to practice nursing in any state of the United States of America, The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.
- Current valid BLS Certification
Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years experience in Clinical Nursing experience.
- Experience with adult vaccinations, blood borne pathogen exposures, occupational exposures, respiratory protection program including N95 mask fit testing, TB risk assessments, TB skin testing, and post exposure follow-ups.
- Experience in the handling and administration of vaccinations including but not limited to: pneumovax, Mumps Measles and Rubella (MMR), varicella, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP), and diphtheria toxoid (TD).
- Experience must include organization and participation in mass vaccination clinics (e.g. employee influenza and/or community based vaccination programs)
Other Skills and Abilities:
A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers. All employment references must address and indicate success in each one of the following areas:
- Positive working relationships with others
- Ability to create, manage, and coordinate programs independently and when necessary collaborate with diverse populations across many disciplines
- Possession of high ethical standards and no history of complaints
- Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences.
- Ability to communicate ideas in both technical and user-friendly language; at times simultaneously
- Proven analytical and creative problem-solving abilities using service recovery and customer service skills
- Highly self-motivated and keen attention to detail
- Proven track record of strong customer service orientation
- Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals
- Performs a variety of task and may lead and direct the work of others
- A wide degree of creativity and latitude and works independently; provides detailed reports and instruction to Supervisor/Manager
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Graduate degree in Nursing or Healthcare related field is highly desirable.
Experience:
Experience in providing educational activities to hospital staff, patients and families and collaborating with local agencies such as the public health, contract dialysis, EMS, CHR’s, etc.
Other Skills and Abilities:
Ability to speak Navajo
|
Click here for technical assistance.
