ST. JOHN'S COMMUNITIES, INC.

JOB TITLE: Occupational Health Nurse Standard Precautions

REPORTS TO: Director of Clinical Services Category I

JOB OBJECTIVE: Plans, organizes and directs activities related to health and well-being of employees. Assures adherence to St. John's policies and procedures, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Workman’s Compensation requirements and all laws, regulations and documentation requirements related to employee health. Uphold and further the mission, principles and core values consistent with the model of living and the person-centered philosophy in a team environment.

JOB STANDARDS:

 1.      Must be a graduate from an accredited School of Nursing and currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Wisconsin. Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.

 2.      Must have a minimum of two years recent occupational health nursing experience.   Current knowledge of and skill applying State and federal regulations/guidelines regarding FMLA, ADA, OSHA, Workman’s Compensation, Infection Control/Diseases required for Continuing Care Retirement Communities including Residential Care Apartment Complexes (RCAC), Assisted Living and Nursing Home.

 3.      Must be CPR certified and demonstrate knowledge and clinical competence to complete employee health and wellness assessments.

 4.      Ability to work independently; is motivated and self-directed.

 5.      Strong interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with staff, physicians, coworkers, outside agencies, managers and administration. 

 6.      Must have demonstrated honesty and dependability in previous employment.

 7.      Well-developed analytical problem-solving skills in order to formulate plans for addressing employee health-related issues.

 8       Must exhibit a warm, cheerful and caring manner.

 9.      Knowledge of teaching tools and adult learning theory to assist with educational programs.

10.     Computer and data entry skills.

11.     Must be able to safely perform the essential job functions^« with or without reasonable accommodation.

12.     Must become knowledgeable of and practice the principles of the person-first philosophy:

          a. Builds and sustains professional relationships between residents, family and staff;

          b. Each person is to be known as an individual;

          c. Each person is to be honored before the task;

          d. Each person can and does make a difference;

          e. Each resident is entitled to make his/her own decisions and have freedom of choice to be as independent as possible;

          f. Risk-taking is a normal part of life and contributes to our growth;

          g. We nurture the spirit as well as the mind and body;

          h. We promote growth and development for all; and,

          i. We create an environment that meets the physical, relational, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and occupational needs of individuals and the community.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

 ^«1.    Carries out all organizational policies and procedures. Consults Director of Clinical Services/designee when guidance is needed for unusual situations.  Reports to the Director of Clinical Services/designee.

 ^«2.    Reviewing results of post-offer health examinations.

          Develops, implements and evaluates the Infection Control Program for employees and residents, including but not limited to: providing screening for communicable disease exposures of employees and making necessary referrals, monitoring & surveillance of resident-specific infections, monitoring for trends, outbreaks, and initiating necessary interventions to prevent and/or contain the spread of infections, reviewing & revising all infection-control-related policies and procedures, working collaboratively with Director of Education regarding employee educational needs.

  *3.   Scheduling and performing periodic employee health screenings.

  *4.   Planning and implementing annual influenza vaccinations for employees.

  *5.   Planning and implementation of TB skin testing program for employees.

  *6.   Follow-up investigation, evaluation, and prevention training for work-related illnesses, injuries and exposures.

  *7.   Administration of first aid for minor work-related injuries or exposures.

  *8.  Referral of major work-related injuries to the occupational health agency, personal physician or urgent care or emergency room of choice.

  *9.   Collects and reports data regarding occupational injuries and illnesses and files the Employer’s first Report of Injury or Disease, Worker’s Compensation claims; provides data to Director of Education for presentation at the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee and submits data to regulatory bodies as required; completes OSHA log and submits electronically and posts as required.

*10.   Provides case management, and facilitates Saint John’s Early Return to Work Program –Light Duty- After Work Related Injury by disseminating information about the injured staff member as appropriate to the Worker’s compensation insurance carrier, the physician, the therapist, the scheduler and the Department Director.

*11.   Conducts and coordinates with other departments ergonomic worksite evaluations.

*12.  Develops and presents educational programs related to health and safety risks.

*13.  Serves on and reports to designated organizational (e.g.QAA, Wellness, Safety) and outside committees (e.g. APIC).

*14.  Serves as a resource to staff members and managers regarding health issues and work safety

^«15.   Participates in the annual nursing and HR budgets by recommending/suggesting new equipment, the need for additional personnel, etc.

^«16.   Investigates and documents employee injuries, illnesses, administers/reads TB skin tests, medications and performs first aid outlined in the Medical Directives for St. John's Employee Health Clinic, Hazardous Materials Manuals and follows procedures in the Infection Control manual for exposure to blood borne pathogens on the night shift.

^«18.   Maintains confidentiality of all department and organizational information.

*19.   Knows and follows existing lines of communication and authority.

*20.   Uses appropriate communication skills and works tactfully and cooperatively with residents, families, visitors, medical staff and the entire St. John's staff throughout the organization.

*21.   A change schedule or works overtime on occasion to meet needs of the organization.

^«22.   Participates in educational programs and seminars to continually refine occupational health and management skills and to develop/enhance interpersonal relationships. Maintains CPR certification.

^«23.   Assures that all employees’ and residents’ rights are maintained at all times and reports any violation or suspected deviations according to St. John's policy.

^«24.   Follows all safety, security, infection control (including Category I Standard Precautions) and hazardous materials policies and procedures. Performs all tasks to assure employee and personal safety and the protection of St. John's property.

^«25.  Maintains current information regarding trends, standards of care, and pertinent legislation by attending in-house and external continuing education programs.  Maintains computer skills by attending computer classes.

^«26.   Collects and submits to Director the monthly infection control data.

*27.  Understands how applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures impact specific job responsibilities and functions.  Demonstrates actions to reasonably prevent, detect and report unethical and unlawful business practice.

*28.  Performs assigned job functions in a fiscally responsible manner and in accordance with organizational and departmental policies and procedures regarding business practices.

*29.  Assists in maintaining a safe environment of care by:  actively participating in organizational and departmental safety education and training programs; performing position duties in a safe manner; reporting hazardous conditions or unsafe practices; and abiding by all applicable safety policies and regulations.

*30.  Develops departmental policies and procedures.

 31.   Enters into the computer the data pertaining to staff injuries and immunizations.

 32.  Inventories and orders departmental supplies.

 33.  Serves as resource for staff members in crisis.

WORK SETTING/ENVIRONMENT:

 1.      Work is performed indoors in a well-lighted and clean building with some exposure to dust. heat, air conditioning and humidity are controlled by the building's central system with a temperature variance of not more than 7 degrees on either side of the norm of 72 degrees.

 2.      In general, needs physical stamina because considerable time is spent walking and standing.

 3.      Frequent exposure to blood, body tissue, and fluids with some exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous materials.

 4.      Exposure to loud or unpleasant voices and bodily injury on an intermittent basis.

 5.      Constant stress of working with sick residents and their families, combined with the resident who may be confused, irrational, highly agitated or given to abrupt mood swings.

 6.      Exposure to toxins is rare.

EQUIPMENT USED: Medication cart, stethoscope, blood pressure apparatus, glucometer, syringes, thermometers, personal protective equipment, oxygen concentrator, oxygen tank and gauge, mechanical lifts, gait belts, computers, tape recorder, fax machine, telephone, printers, photocopy machines, pulse oximeter, nursing-related equipment such as but not limited to IV tubing and pumps, wound vacuums, specimen collection equipment, electric beds, bed and chair alarms, ophthalmoscope, tube feeding equipment, etc.

PHYSICAL/SENSORY COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM THE ^«ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

PHYSICAL

Physical Strength: On a daily basis must be able to push/pull/lift/move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Manual Dexterity: Must be able to continuously perform simple/difficult manipulative tasks like inserting an I.V. or feeding tube and the calibration of equipment such as a feeding pump or oxygen gauge.

Coordination: Must be able to frequently perform tasks requiring good hand/eye coordination and steadiness of motion for preparing and administering medications and taking blood pressures.

Mobility: Must be able to continuously stand and walk; occasionally squat, bend to floor, reach over shoulder, kneel, twist, sit, stand and remain in uncomfortable positions for prolonged periods.

Speech: Must be able to continuously articulate clearly and precisely so as to give precise directions, speak on the phone and over the intercom.  Must be able to clearly and audibly speak and understand and document in the predominant language of the residents which is English.

Emotional Stability: Must be able to continuously cope effectively with stress created by employees, sick residents, multiple tasks, noises, interruptions and work cooperatively as part of the health care team.

SENSORY

Vision: Must be able to continuously see objects closely to visually assess medical conditions. Ability to focus

and read a thermometer, distinguish colors of warning lights and be able to read test results. Must be able to read the predominant language used within the Saint John’s community which is English.

Hearing: Must be able to continuously hear normal sounds and voice patterns with some background noise while using a stethoscope.

Smell: Must be able to occasionally use this sense to identify medical problems, smoke, spoiled food and soiled linen, etc.

COGNITIVE

Concentration: Must be able to continuously concentrate on fine detail with constant interruption.

Attention Span: Must be able to continuously attend to task/function for more than 60 minutes at a time.

Conceptualization: Must be able to frequently understand/use theories behind several related concepts.

Memory: Must be able to continuously remember verbal and written tasks/assignments for a full shift; frequently must remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others at beginning of a period and lasting over long periods.

EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY IN AN EMERGENCY: Must be able to function in a professional, calm manner. Must be able to move and evacuate residents from any danger with or without assistance depending upon circumstances.

PLEASE SEND RESUMES TO:

FAX: 414-831-6767

Or visit our website :   http://www.saintjohnsmilw.org /