Infection Prevention & Control/Occupational & Environmental Coordinator

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

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.