The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located in beautiful Golden, Colorado, is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an energy future for the nation that is environmentally and economically sustainable.   

Job Summary 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an energy future that is both environmentally and economically sustainable. With locations in Golden, Boulder and Washington D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States. The NREL mission is to develop renewable energy and energy efficient technologies and practices, advance related science and engineering, and transfer knowledge and innovation to address the nation’s energy and environmental goals. 

Under the Colorado Registered Nurse licensure and scope of practice, and the Standards of Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing of AAOHN, the Registered Nurse is to perform and administer Occupational Health Services (OHS) clinical programs, including the oversight of the clinic day to day operations.  The nurse will apply the nursing process to support medical evaluation, medical treatment, and medical surveillance.  The nurse will identify, develop, and implement written procedures for effective and compliant clinic operations.  Additionally, the nurse is to build and maintain necessary partnerships among NREL site workers, managers, and other internal customers to establish and maintain a safe, healthful, and compliant workplace. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities of the Position:   

Implement NREL’s OHS and clinic operations in conjunction with the Environment, Safety, Health and Quality (ESH&Q) Office Management, per professional competency standards, and under technical direction of the Site Occupational Medicine Director (SOMD).  Must have an ethical framework for decision making in practice.  

Nursing Process: 

• Conduct initial and periodic reviews of worker medical and work history, laboratory findings, clinical findings, and physical assessments to facilitate fitness for duty evaluations, and to assist in preventative measures and maintenance of worker health and safety.         

• Provide individualized, short-term counseling for workers regarding their health status.) 
• Determine appropriate treatment plans for worker health problems for both occupational and non-occupational visits.  Determine if occupational health case management is needed to accomplish a reduction of injury severity, symptomatic relief, and to lessen lost time and workers’ compensation costs.  Establish medical standing orders process as needed for appropriate assessment, intervention, and evaluation of outcomes of provided worker health care, including also the appropriate dispensation and delivery of medications, both over the counter and by prescription. 
• Conduct clinical procedural testing. Oversee day-to-day OHS clinic operations according to established procedures and protocols to ensure smooth, efficient, and accurate performance for the scheduling and conduct of physical exams and assessments.  Conduct physician directed diagnostic and screening procedures to include blood draws, urine specimen collections, spirometry, electrocardiograms, vision screening, audiometric testing, olfaction screening, blood pressure monitoring, heart rate, body temperature, and height and weight measurements.  Obtain and maintain medical standing orders for diagnostic procedures.  
• Establish, maintain, and oversee OHS recordkeeping systems, including electronic and paper medical and/or occupational documents.  Develop protocols to maintain timely records of workers’ activities in relation to the clinic.  Establish and maintain requirements for confidentiality and protection of personally identifiable information (PII) as specified by applicable DOE and other regulations, standards, and policies. 
• Obtain the consent of workers for participation in services provided by the clinical staff.  

Planning: 

• Recommend, develop, prepare, and update written policies, procedures, and protocols in collaboration with the SOMD, ESH&Q Office Management, and site document control to ensure definitive practices for OHS in conformance with applicable regulations and standards, including but not limited to DOE 851 rules, and ISO/OHSAS standards.                                                                                                               
• Maintain a working knowledge of governing regulations, applicable standards, and best practices guidelines, including, but not limited to the Department of Energy (DOE) 10 CFR Part 851, Appendix A, Part 8 – Occupational Medicine, DOE directives, and DOE EFCOG Medical Group best practices recommendations; OSHA occupational medicine surveillance regulations, Department of Transportation (DoT) medical clearance assessment requirements, State of Colorado rules pertaining to occupational health and workers’ compensation, and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and NIOSH guidelines.  Identify, interpret, and communicate applicable regulations and standards subject matter to the SOMD and the EHS Office management for incorporation into NREL procedures and practices. 

Outcome Identification and Evaluation: 

• Provide appropriate implementation of occupational nursing assessment, nursing diagnosis, and initial care of persons with occupational injuries and illnesses. 
• Implement and coordinate medical examination programs. 
• Systematically and continuously evaluates progress and achievement of desired outcomes.  Provide health and safety information and recommendations to NREL special groups or task forces, as appropriate.  

Collaboration: 

• Schedule and assist to coordinate appointments, visits, meetings, and communications involving the SOMD. 
• Obtain ESH&Q management approval to assume and coordinate the purchasing, acquisition, and payment process for OHS clinical supplies, operate within allotted budget parameters.  Allocate, coordinate, and track expenditures for OHS services, supplies and equipment purchases, including clinic equipment calibration, maintenance, or servicing. 
• Develop and foster coordinated and positive relationships with external providers, clinics, and other health care provider resources. 
• Assist in hiring, training, mentoring, and establishment of occupational health nursing conduct for other nurses hired into the clinic.  Assist the SOMD with providing educational and learning opportunities for both medical residents and nursing students in conjunction with ESH&Q Management.                                                              

• Serve as a secondary NREL OHS representative (SOMD is the primary representative) on the EFCOG Occupational Medicine group meetings and telephone conferences.  Track and communicate to EHS line management best practices and upcoming issues set forth by this group for consideration by NREL management for policies, procedures, and practices. 

Case Management: 

• Coordinate Workers’ Compensation claim opening, reporting, referrals, and reviews.  Review Workers’ Compensation providers’ treatment plans to verify quality and appropriate care in the best interests of returning the worker to work and maximum medical improvement.  Institute cross-departmental communication and notifications. 
• Participate in monthly and quarterly meetings to review injury and illness rates and in annual review of NREL’s liability insurance performance and rate setting meetings.  Participate in or lead efforts to reduce injury and illness rates and/or increase safety practices within NREL.                                                                                                              

• Participate in monthly and quarterly meetings to review injury and illness rates and in annual review of NREL’s liability insurance performance and rate setting meetings.  Participate in or lead efforts to reduce injury and illness rates and/or increase safety practices within NREL.                                                                                                              
• Refer workers to off-site providers or external resources as needed to facilitate worker health, safety, and productivity. 

Research and Education:                                                                                          

• Provide health education and information as applicable.  Develop and coordinate the information to be provided on the ESH&Q Occupational Health Services webpage. 

• Provide site-wide educational information as requested or needed.    
• Participate in continuing education to ensure current best practices and information are employed in health communications and to maintain standards for required certifications.                                                
• Facilitate a review of results and/or data collection and analyses by the SOMD for the physical examinations programs.  Collaborate with the SOMD to determine the components and quality assurance measures of such programs.                                                                                    
• Prepare quality and on-time deliverables and reports. 
• Performs other duties as assigned or required to establish and maintain and effective, collaborative, and compliant OHS program. 

Qualifications 

Licensure and Certification Required for the Position: Unencumbered, active, Colorado Registered Nurse license; current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certificate; Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation certification (or be willing to obtain within 60 days of employment); NIOSH approved Pulmonary Function Testing (or be willing to obtain within 60 days of employment); American Board for Occupational Health Nurses certification (or be willing to obtain when 3,000 hours in occupational health in the past five years has been achieved, or completion of a certificate program in occupational health nursing for academic credit, or completion of a graduate level of education with a concentration in occupational health has been achieved.)  Maintain competency requirements for each professional certification or licensure. 

Ability to wear personal protective equipment to enter research areas; must be able to lift at least 30 pounds, must be able to walk at least ½ mile, ascend/descend stairs.  Must be able to use a variety of MS Office products, electronic health record software, and other electronic applications.  Must be willing and able to travel for training classes, conferences, etc.  Must be able to use computer-controlled equipment for medical procedures.  Must have technical writing skills incorporating excellent grammar and style requirements.   

Required Education, Experience, and Skills 

Relevant Bachelor's Degree and 14 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 12 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant PhD and 9 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant JD and 9 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Applies advanced technical principles, theories and concepts. Contributes to the development of new principles and concepts. Develops advanced concepts, techniques and standards. Develops new applications based on professional principles and theories. Viewed externally as subject matter expert in field. Comprehensive and advanced knowledge of laws, regulations, principles, procedures and practices related to specific field. Superior leadership, project management and problem solving skills. Ability to use various computer software programs. 

EEO Policy / E-Verify 

NREL's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, age, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. 
 
NREL validates right to work using E-Verify. NREL will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For additional information, please click here https://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.html. 

Pre-employment drug testing required. 

Submit Your Resume 

Please apply online at: www.nrel.gov/careers and search for Req R3754 

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.