Health Services Specialist (RN Required), Per Diem

Ensures that VNS Health staff are free from health impairments that could pose a risk to themselves, coworkers, patients, and their families, or interfere with the safe performance of their duties. Maintains compliance with New York State Department of Health, OSHA, and other applicable regulations while promoting employee wellness and workplace safety. Works under general direction.

Schedule: Approximately 2–3 days per week, with additional hours as needed to provide coverage during team members' vacation and PTO.

What We Provide

• Referral bonus opportunities

• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement  

• Internal mobility, CEU credits, and advancement opportunities   

• Interdisciplinary network of colleagues through the VNS Health Social Services Community of Professionals 

What You Will Do

• Ensures that newly-hired employees, newly associated individual contractors, volunteers and students are free of any health impairments that are of potential risk to themselves, VNS patients, families or employees, or that may interfere with the performance of job responsibilities, by reviewing medical findings of physical examinations, laboratory tests and immunizations. Authorizes employees, contractors and volunteers in accordance with Agency policy and procedures, to commence association with VNS. Contacts and counsels staff regarding medical findings when necessary. Recommends medical referrals as needed. Develops and maintains library of medical resources for referrals.
• Reviews annual health assessments, TB risk assessments and other health requirements in accordance with Agency policies and procedures, New York State Department of Health regulations, OSHA regulations and/or other applicable regulations, to ensure employees are free from any health impairments that are of potential risk to VNS patients, their families, VNS employees and themselves.
• Develops and maintains health records and individual charts for VNS Health employees and individual contractors. Develops and maintains various department records and reports, including monthly compliance reports, and exposures reports. 
• Investigates and manages employees suffering illnesses and exposures to communicable diseases, as assigned.
• Develops and maintains contact with employees on extended sick leaves and disability leaves of absence; provides counsel and guidance to expedite return to work; reviews medical authorizations for employees returning to work for appropriateness and clearance to return to work; takes further action as necessary.
• Reviews medical accommodation requests as per ADA and other regulatory bodies and participates in the interactive dialogue for resolutions.
• Works with Clinical Services, Quality, Infection Prevention and Operations to ensure clinical practice standards and guidelines are being applied in order to reduce the risk of occupational exposures .
• Subject matter experts providing guidance in Covid-19, Influenza, RSV and other communicable diseases.
• Conducts training programs about illnesses and exposures. Conducts presentations and content on health-related topics of interest to promote health & wellness awareness.
• Remains abreast of new developments, techniques and regulations (including DOH and OSHA updates/changes) related to Health Services programs and policies. Makes recommendations in anticipation of the impact these changes will have on the Agency.
• Ensures services provided by various medical providers are safe, thorough and cost effective by monitoring services provided. Establishes relationships with other medical providers, as required.
• Selects, orders and distributes materials and supplies necessary for the administration of the Health Services Program.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.