Infection Control​/Health Nurse

Job Details

Job Location:

New Bedford, MA 02740

Position Type:
Full Time

Salary Range: $72,155.00 - $ per year

Job Category:
Nurse

Under the supervision of the Chief Clinical Operations Officer (CCOO), the Infection Control/Employee Health Nurse is responsible for managing Employee Health and Infection Prevention/Control functions at New Bedford Community Health (NBCH).

• Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Establish standard methods of care, utilizing evidence-based practice and best practice standards.
• Collaborate with department leaders to establish and implement infection control and employee health orientation programs.
• Create and revise policies and procedures related to infection control and employee health.
• Maintain complete and accurate employee health records to ensure regulatory compliance for NBCH, following HIPAA guidelines and staff confidentiality protocols.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of all employee health initiatives and programs, working with Human Resources on pre-employment and onboarding processes.
• Manage pre-employment testing and vaccination processes, annual N95/TB/Influenza testing and/or vaccinations, and the handling of potential blood exposures, employee illnesses, and disease outbreaks.
• Participate as an integral team member, collaborating with Safety Officer, Human Resources, Quality Director, and other departments to advocate for employee health and safety.
• Use epidemiological principles and statistical methods to design, implement, and evaluate infection prevention and control strategies.
• Provide consultation and education to staff, physicians, and community leaders regarding Infection Prevention & Control.
• Coordinate with the Safety Committee to determine the direction of surveillance activities and evaluate the effectiveness of the Infection Prevention and Control Plan annually.
• Conduct risk assessments at least annually and as needed, considering served populations, regional vulnerabilities, and new or emerging infectious diseases.
• Notify the County and/or State Health Department of any reportable diseases, adhering to all internal county and state procedures.
• Develop and implement continuously improved patient care procedures and control mechanisms related to quality, compliance, and infectious diseases.
• Participate in infection prevention and control education of all employees during orientation and annually thereafter, including classes in infection prevention and control practices and employee health.
• Ensure infection prevention and control procedures meet county, state, CMS, and CDC regulations, standards, or guidelines.
• Organize Safety/Infection Prevention and Control Committee meetings and maintain all meeting minutes.
• Collaborate with the Director of Compliance on HRSA compliance and Ryan White Services, including planning and supporting quarterly risk assessments.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, such as supporting the clinical team with nursing duties. Clinical time will be included in the role.

• Detail oriented and capable of exploring innovative solutions to solve complex problems and address issues through a combination of delivered and custom-developed tools.
• Ability to compile, code, and categorize, or verify information/data.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to determine appropriate course of action in complex situations.
• Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, and maintain a positive attitude.
• Ability to manage multiple simultaneous responsibilities and 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 patients, physicians, or others in a professional manner.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) strongly preferred; minimum requirement:
  Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience working as a nurse.
• Knowledge of infectious disease principles, sterilization, and disinfection practices.
• Training in infection surveillance and control preferred.

• Current nursing license (RN or LPN) for the state of Massachusetts.
• Certified in CPR/BLS.
• Obtain Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) certification within two years as an Infection Control/Employee Health Nurse.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.).
• Experience working with electronic health records is required.