Infection Control & Employee Health Specialist Department
Quality Compliance and Privacy Program Quality Compliance and Privacy Reports To Quality and Risk Manager
Employment Status: Full Time FLSA Status: Exempt Schedule: 40 hours, 52 weeks
Preference: TERO Ordinance 2017-01 P.L. 93-638 Revision Date: 11/19/2024
Job Summary:
The Infection Control & Employee Health Specialist possesses knowledge of clinical epidemiology principles and is responsible for facilitating compliance of the Tribes Infection Control & Employee Health Program, which includes surveillance analysis and reporting of healthcare acquired infections for the Denaina Wellness Center. Educating employees about infection control and developing policies and procedures to ensure rigorous infection control standards meet accreditation, OSHA, Public Health Department, and Center for Disease Control requirements. In collaboration with the Medical Director, the Infection Control & Employee Health Specialist supports and acts as a resource to staff and services.
Essential Functions:
• Develops, recommends, and implements policies and procedures surrounding infection control and employee health within the Kenaitze Indian Tribe to ensure compliance with accreditation entities, OSHA, CDC, CMS, and other county, state, and federal regulatory agencies. • Consults with department directors and administrators for policy and procedure development surrounding clinical care. • Conducts regular review and research of best practices and translates, develops, or updates policies and procedures and staff training as needed. • Directs and assists in preparing filing and following up on reports and statistical data for local or state agencies. • Ensures a safe and effective system for the maintenance of a sanitary environment for patients and staff. • Directs and manages the Infection Control Program as outlined by the Infection Control and Employee Health Program Manual for all departments of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe. • Maintains records, including but not limited to employee health records, confidential medical records, Sharps Injury Log, and Infectious Diseases. • Facilitates communication and reports reportable diseases between DWC administration, State of Alaska, and public health officials regarding infectious disease as required by the State of Alaska. • May consult with additional KIT facilities regarding infection control and employee health topics. • Monitors, evaluates, and reports compliance within facility with established infection control and patient safety best practices. • Develops improvements to infection control and patient safety practices based on new information technology, in light of clinic services capacity and equipment in use. • Completes an annual review and update of related policies and procedures in accordance with best practice guidelines. • Updates staff on changes and directly manages and evaluates the Employee Health Program as outlined by the Infection Control and Employee Health Policies and Procedures for all Kenaitze Indian Tribe employees and departments. • This program includes but is not limited to OSHA bloodborne pathogens, respiratory fit testing, and additional training. • Establishes and maintains an Employee Health database with employee health records for all Kenaitze Indian Tribe employees as outlined in the Infection Control Employee Health Manual. • In partnership with Human Resources, manages new employee TB screenings and onboarding as appropriate. • Initiates lab orders as needed to assure that all employees records are complete per the Infection Control Employee Health Manual and the Exposure Control Plan. • Provides direct assistance to the primary care staff for any employees and patients exposed to or ill with communicable disease.
Functions Independently:
• Performs a variety of complex professional tasks and advises others. • Ensures compliance with Tribal, federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations. • Tribal policies and TERO ordinance.
Working Conditions:
Lifting Requirements: Light work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Physical Requirements:
• Stand or Sit • Stationary position • Walk • Move • Traverse • Use hands, fingers to handle or feel • Operate • Activate • Prepare • Inspect • Place • Detect • Position • Climb stairs, ladders, or balance • Ascend, descend • Work atop • Traverse • Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl • Position self • Move • Talk, hear • Communicate • Detect • Converse with • Discern • Convey • Express oneself • Exchange information • See • Detect • Determine • Perceive • Identify • Recognize • Judge • Observe • Inspect • Estimate • Assess • Taste, smell • Detect • Distinguish • Determine
Hazards and Atmospheric Conditions:
• Noise • Other • Biohazard • OSHA Categories • Category II • Normal routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid, or tissue but exposure or potential for exposure may occur
Equipment and Tools:
• List of equipment used for job: • Multiple databases • Computer-based systems to develop reports, lists • Telephone • Fax • Various clinical equipment as needed • List of tools: • Drives KIT or Personal Vehicle • Other Travel: • Local • In-State • Travel may be required for meetings and training
Qualifications:
• Education: • Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited school or education and experience may be substituted for a degree • Experience: • Three (3) years clinical experience in a clinic or hospital setting or disease surveillance experience in public health setting • Experience with infection control and employee health practice preferred • License/Certification: • State of Alaska RN license • BLS certification • Infection Control or Occupational Health training with certificate preferred • Valid Alaska Driver License and must remain insurable under the Kenaitze Indian Tribes policy • Preferred: • Knowledge and experience working with cultural diversities • Special Skills: • Strong organizational, analytic, and interpersonal skills • Knowledge of infection control and employee health practices • Computer research and statistical skills • Proficiency with Microsoft Suite or obtain training within 90 days of hire • Proactively and consistently applies regulatory and accreditation standards to assure that activities are reviewed and performance improvement processes are implemented within guidelines • Ability to process complex information while working independently, including the interpretation of best practice and regulatory standards into clinical applications with recommendations for implementation • Ability to report audit or clinical findings to appropriate staff to ensure appropriate outcome and/or follow-up for improvement as indicated • Ability to maintain knowledge and adherence of infectious diseases and the State of Alaska regulations for management of reportable diseases • Ability to maintain knowledge of current principles and practices for infection control standards for various ambulatory care departments • Knowledge of current regulations and standards for quality assurance in an ambulatory care setting
Position Status: This position is a Covered Position subject to all requirements of the Alaska Barrier Crimes Act (ABCA) and to the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act (ICPA). ABCA and ICPA requirements apply and must be complied with at all times in order to remain in the position.