Employee Health Nurse (LPN)

Description

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Director of Employee Health Services, the Employee Health Nurse plays a vital role in ensuring comprehensive management of employee health across the organization. This position encompasses broad oversight of initiatives designed to protect workforce health, safety, and well-being. Primary responsibilities include overseeing New Hire Health Screening Intakes and onboarding processes, and coordinating access to vital resources for new employees to promote effective integration and support their health and well-being. The incumbent also fosters a culture of safety by acting as the department's safety champion, facilitating BLS life safety training, conducting medical surveillance, and managing the procurement of required supplies and examinations to sustain a healthy work environment. Additional responsibilities include delivering educational materials, preparing initial documentation for workers’ compensation claims related to workplace injuries, and supporting the administration of health, safety, and injury prevention in accordance with The Joint Commission standards, as well as federal, state, and local regulations and organizational policies. This position requires demonstrated initiative, innovative problem-solving, and the ability to work independently in a dynamic, fast-paced setting.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

New Hire Health Screening Intakes & Onboarding

• Pre-Employment Exams: Coordinate and conduct pre-employment physicals (i.e., TB testing, blood work, titers, drug and alcohol screenings, and fit testing for new hires to ensure they are fit for their designated roles.
• New Hire Orientation: Lead educational sessions on topics like blood-borne pathogens, injury prevention, workers' comp injury reports, hand washing techniques, and employee health services.
• Employee Health Chart: Establish a dedicated health chart for each new hire for ongoing employee health charting. This chart serves as an ongoing record, capturing all relevant health information from the initial screening through subsequent health-related interactions. 

Resource Provision for New Hires

To support the successful transition and well-being of new employees, comprehensive resources are provided and explained during onboarding. This process ensures each new hire is equipped with the necessary information and guidance to foster their health, nutrition, and fitness from day one.

• Healthcare Services Information: Provide new hires with information about available healthcare services. 
• Nutrition Guidance: Provide new employees with practical nutrition guidance to help them establish balanced and sustainable eating practices. 
• Fitness Materials and Recommendations: Provide new employees with fitness materials and tailored activity recommendations to accommodate various activity levels and preferences. 
• Resource Utilization Support: Assist new employees in comprehending and effectively leveraging available resources. Guidance is provided to help all staff members maximize support for health, nutrition, and fitness to enhance personal well-being and professional growth.

Safety Champion

• Serve as the Safety Champion for the Employee Health Department by performing routine inspections of all medical equipment, including Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), to confirm their proper function and readiness. Check medications regularly to remove any expired items, ensuring compliance with safety standards. Each month, submit a thorough report detailing equipment inspections and medication reviews to uphold accountability and maintain the department's highest safety standards.

Education Initiatives

• CPR Training: Conduct regular CPR training sessions to ensure that clinical staff are adequately prepared for emergency situations. These programs provide employees with essential life-saving competencies and enhance the organization's safety culture.
• Monthly Health Awareness Education: Deliver monthly health awareness education to support sustained wellness. Topics address pertinent health concerns and foster proactive engagement with individual health and safety responsibilities.

Workers Comp

• Collect, evaluate, and establish initial workers' compensation injury paperwork. This process ensures that all relevant documentation is accurately completed and submitted in a timely manner, facilitating proper reporting and tracking of injured worker incidents.

Drug Screening Monitoring

• Random: Conduct random drug screenings as part of the Employee Health Department’s ongoing commitment to workplace safety. These screenings help ensure a drug-free environment and support compliance with organizational and regulatory standards. 
• Post Accident: Conduct drug screenings following workplace injury or accident.
• Conduct drug screening services for external employer partnerships (i.e., Effingham County).

Return-to-Work Programs

• Assist with evaluating employees who have work restrictions to ensure their safe return to duty as needed, delegated, or assigned. 
• Monitor and follow up on employee callouts due to acute illnesses. Oversee the review of return-to-work releases, confirming that employees are medically clear and able to resume their job responsibilities in accordance with established protocols.

Medical Surveillance

• Conduct medical surveillance for hazardous events, focusing on employees exposed to workplace risks such as toxic chemicals and other specific hazards. 
• Ensure adherence to safety standards and implement preventive protocols to protect the health and well-being of all staff members.

Supply Ordering and Management

• Accountable for sourcing and procuring supplies required for departmental events and daily operations.
• Assess departmental needs, identify suitable items, and process supply orders accordingly.
• Exercise careful consideration of the department’s budget to ensure all expenditure is necessary and financially prudent.
• Support the department's objectives and activities by maintaining operational efficiency.

Other Duties

• Committee Involvement: Participate in committee meetings as needed, engage in discussions, and assist with the goals and initiatives established by the committees.
• Additional Tasks: Carry out other responsibilities as assigned or delegated, maintaining adaptability and responsiveness to departmental requirements.

Requirements

Minimum Level of Education: Education level equivalent to completion of high school, and a graduate of an accredited Practical Nursing program.

Formal Training: Demonstrates exceptional accuracy in record-keeping to satisfy stringent legal and health compliance requirements; possesses strong interpersonal skills for effectively counseling employees, as well as clear written communication abilities for comprehensive documentation and legal reporting. Capable of assessing workplace hazards, determining appropriate treatment or referrals for injuries promptly, and providing supportive care and crisis intervention to employees experiencing psychosocial or work-related challenges.

Licensure, Certification, Registration: Must have and maintain an unencumbered Georgia Registered Professional Practical Nurse license and BLS CPR certification.

Work Experience: Possesses two years of experience in occupational health or employee health, gained within settings such as an employee health clinic, direct patient care environment, infectious disease clinic, or internal medicine clinic. 

Computer Skills: Proficient computer skills are required, including effective use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Must be able to accurately navigate, review, and document information in the electronic medical record (EMR) and other electronic systems to support safe, efficient employee health services.