Clinical Safety & Infection Prevention Nurse
Position Title: Clinical Safety & Infection Prevention Nurse
Department: Clinical Operations
Reports To: Chief Operations Officer and Director of Clinical Operations
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Summary
The Clinical Safety & Infection Prevention Nurse supports a safe environment for patients, providers, staff, and visitors across the organization. This position is responsible for leading infection prevention efforts, supporting OSHA compliance, monitoring workplace and clinical safety practices, coordinating staff safety education, and helping ensure compliance with required clinical licenses and certifications.
Working collaboratively with physicians, advanced practice providers, nursing staff, managers, and operational leaders, this individual serves as a resource for infection prevention, employee safety, regulatory compliance, and risk reduction initiatives across multiple practice locations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Infection Prevention
- Coordinate and maintain the organization's infection prevention program across all clinical locations.
- Monitor compliance with infection prevention standards and evidence-based practices.
- Conduct routine infection prevention audits and observations.
- Investigate infection control concerns and assist with corrective action plans when needed.
- Monitor trends and identify opportunities to reduce infection risk.
- Respond to communicable disease concerns and assist with outbreak management when appropriate.
- Serve as a resource for providers and staff regarding infection prevention best practices and CDC recommendations.
- Assist with implementation of new infection prevention guidelines and recommendations.
Clinical Safety
- Promote a culture of safety throughout the organization.
- Investigate safety events, near misses, and workplace incidents involving clinical operations.
- Conduct clinical safety rounds and observations at practice locations.
- Identify potential safety risks and collaborate with department leaders on mitigation strategies.
- Assist in the development and delivery of programs aimed at reducing patient and employee safety risks.
- Monitor trends and report findings to leadership.
OSHA and Workplace Safety
Serve as the organization's primary resource for OSHA-related requirements.
Maintain and monitor programs related to:
Bloodborne pathogens
Exposure control
Hazard communication
PPE compliance
Sharps safety
Workplace injury prevention
Conduct periodic safety inspections and environmental rounds.
Track employee injuries, exposures, and safety incidents.
Ensure required OSHA training is assigned and completed.
Recommend interventions to improve workplace safety and reduce risk.
Employee Exposure Management
- Coordinate follow-up for employee exposure incidents, including needlestick injuries and bloodborne pathogen exposures.
- Ensure appropriate documentation and follow-up actions are completed.
- Assist with vaccination and exposure-related initiatives as needed.
- Work collaboratively with Human Resources and departmental leadership regarding employee safety concerns.
Credential and Certification Compliance
- Monitor required clinical licenses, certifications, and mandatory clinical training requirements for employees.
- Maintain tracking systems for nursing licenses, certifications, CPR/BLS, ACLS, radiology certifications, and other position-specific credentials.
- Notify employees and supervisors of upcoming renewal deadlines.
- Conduct periodic audits to verify compliance with organizational requirements.
- Prepare compliance reports for leadership and departmental managers.
- Collaborate with Human Resources, credentialing staff, and department leaders to address compliance gaps and expired credentials.
Education and Training
Develop and provide education on:
Infection prevention
OSHA requirements
Exposure prevention
Workplace safety
Clinical safety practices
Emergency preparedness
Participate in orientation and onboarding of clinical staff.
Support annual competency and regulatory education programs.
Promote awareness of safety expectations throughout the organization.
Auditing and Monitoring
- Conduct routine audits of clinical and safety-related processes.
- Track audit findings and monitor completion of corrective actions.
- Maintain required records and documentation related to infection prevention and safety activities.
- Prepare reports and summaries for leadership as requested.
Emergency Preparedness
- Participate in emergency preparedness planning and drills.
- Assist with infection prevention and safety response planning during emergencies and public health events.
- Support organizational readiness efforts related to patient and staff safety.
Qualifications
Education
- Graduate of an accredited nursing program.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required.
Licensure
- Current unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license.
- Current BLS certification.
Experience
- Minimum of five years of clinical nursing experience.
- Experience in infection prevention, occupational health, regulatory compliance, ambulatory care operations, employee health, or clinical safety preferred.
- Experience in a multi-site physician practice or outpatient healthcare setting strongly preferred.
Preferred Certifications
- Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC)
- Certified Ambulatory Infection Preventionist (CAIP)
- Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS)
- Occupational Health Nursing Certification (COHN or COHN-S)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of infection prevention principles and current healthcare guidelines.
- Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety requirements.
- Strong organizational and follow-up skills.
- Ability to conduct investigations, audits, and compliance reviews.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to build productive relationships with providers, managers, and staff.
- Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
- Proficiency with electronic health records, Microsoft Office applications, and reporting tools.
Physical Requirements
- Regular travel between practice locations.
- Ability to conduct on-site observations, audits, and inspections.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a clinically experienced nurse who is passionate about creating a safe environment for both patients and employees. They are organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working across multiple locations while building strong relationships with frontline staff, providers, and leaders. This individual is proactive, approachable, and committed to fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and compliance throughout the organization.