Infection Prevention & Control/Occupational & Environmental Coordinator

Position Title: Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) /Occupational & Environmental Health (OEH) Coordinator

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Chief Medical Officer

Position Summary:

The Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) / Occupational & Environmental Health (OEH) Coordinator is responsible for infection prevention and control and occupational and environmental health within the organization to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections. Provides direct and indirect nursing care for Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific (REHAB) patients, employees, contract employees and non-employee groups, in the areas of infection prevention and control and occupational and environmental health. The Coordinator position utilizes established protocols and current standards of care to maintain quality and safety.

Wage Range: $83,208.32 - $124,812.48/year.

Actual wage is dependent on the applicant's relevant experience and qualifications for this position. The wage range for this position may be subject to change in the future depending on a variety of factors such as market conditions, business needs, legal developments, and other appropriate factors.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education/certification:

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Current licensure as a Registered Nurse with the Hawai'i State Board of Nursing.

• Must be able to successfully complete the APIC Certification within 24 months of hire.

• AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification to be obtained before hire date.

Skills/Experience:

• One (1) year Infection Prevention & Control Experience or Occupational & Environmental Health/Employee Health experience

• Ability to work and coordinate responsibilities in a team environment, compile, code and categorize, or verify information/data.

• Ability to work independently, with good verbal and written communication, prioritization and organizational skills.

• Detail-oriented and capable of exploring innovative solutions to solve complex situations and address issues with appropriate course of action through the use of a combination of delivered and custom-developed tools.

• Computer knowledge with data entry and word processing skills.

• Experience documenting patient care in an electronic medical record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master's Degree in Nursing

Skills/Experience:

• APIC certification

• Previous PIC and/or OEH experience

• Proficiency with Google Workspace applications

• Proficiency with NHSN reporting

• Wound care experience

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, WORK AIDS USED

Office supplies and equipment, including telephone, computer, ten key calculator and multifunction devices (MFDs). Google's G Suite, report writer and database software. Records, forms and reports. Automated systems for data entry, order control and results extraction, reporting and documentation.

CORE VALUES

Models REHAB's core values, HEART, in daily actions. Honesty- Speak and act with truth and respect. Engagement- Embrace and commit to our mission, vision and values. Aloha- Serve others with a spirit of kindness and compassion. Resilience- Rebound and recover with a sense of urgency. Teamwork- Work together for success.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL (IPC)

• Serves as the appointed Infection Preventionist for the hospital and the staff co-chair of the Infection Prevention & Control Committee.

• Maintains current, broad-based knowledge of pathophysiology and disease processes of infectious conditions represented in the organization. Provides IPC support and consultation for hospital staff and leadership. Maintain knowledge regarding IPC-related regulatory/accreditation requirements and recommendations. Updates IPC policies/procedures/guidelines accordingly.

• Partners with facility leaders, providers, local, state, and national agencies on activities related to infection prevention and control to ensure optimal care to all patients and their families.

• Implements, evaluates the effectiveness of, and revises the hospital's IPC Plan, Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, Hand Hygiene Program, and other IPC initiatives.

• Responds to emergency infection control situations throughout the organization, including infection control outbreaks. May require participation in the Hospital Incident Command System response.

• Travel to satellite clinics on O'ahu and Hawaii Island may be required.

• Performs audits and in-person IPC rounds to ensure compliance with infection prevention and control policies and procedures.

• Serves as the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Administrator for REHAB. Responsible for timely and accurate reporting of required data to NHSN.

• Tracks and reports relevant data to the hospital leadership, Quality Review Council, Medical Executive Committee, and Hospital Board of Directors as appropriate.

• Works with department leadership and the Quality Review Council to develop and implement continuously improved patient care procedures and control mechanisms relating to quality, compliance, and infectious diseases.

OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

• Maintain knowledge regarding OEH-related regulatory/accreditation requirements and recommendations. Updates OEH policies/procedures/guidelines accordingly.

• Implements, evaluates the effectiveness of, and revises the hospital's Exposure Control Plan, Respiratory Protection Program, Safe Patient Handling Program, and other OEH initiatives.

• Serves as the Exposure Control Plan Administrator, Respiratory Program Administrator, and leads the Staff Injury Reduction Task Force.

• Refers employees to their primary care provider, urgent care, or emergency room, as appropriate. Coordinates return to work. Collaborates with Human Resources and department leadership to accommodate any work restrictions.

• Coordinates workers' compensation cases with employees, Human Resources, and REHAB's insurance carrier.

• Provides guidance regarding employee testing for community-spread outbreaks, such as COVID19.

• Partners with facility leaders, providers, local, state, and national agencies on activities related to occupational and environmental health.

• Facilitates and/or administers all pre-employment and annual testing and vaccination(s). Includes coordination of vaccination clinics (e.g., COVID-19, Flu) and acting as liaison to vendors.

• Reports relevant data to the hospital leadership, Safety Council, Compliance/Risk Committee, and Hospital Board of Directors.

IPC/OEH DEPARTMENT

• Assist in identifying Staff education requirements and needs. Develops, coordinates, and/or provides education to staff, patients, and visitors as appropriate to maintain compliance with IPC/OEH policies and procedures.

• Communicate IPC/OEH related information to the organization.

• Identifies, tracks, and reports IPC/OEH Key Performance Indicators (KPI).

• Reports IPC/OEH data per regulatory requirements (NHSN, CMS, DOH, OSHA). Reports events to federal and local agencies/bodies as per regulatory requirements in collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer.

• Participates in hospital accreditation activities.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate IPC/OEH process improvement initiatives.

• Collaborate with the Chief Medical Officer to create and manage the departmental budget. Track actual budget expenses and evaluate against budgeted expenses.

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure the health and safety of REHAB's staff, contractors, volunteers, and patients - including, but not limited to Human Resources, Facilities, and department leadership.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

PROFESSIONALISM AND COMPLIANCE COMPETENCIES

Maintain a high level of proficiency in the following REHAB competencies.

Job Knowledge

Accountability

Communication and interpersonal/relationship building skills

Adaptability and Problem Solving, Decision Making

Organization and Project Management

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Performs other duties as assigned.