The Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Initiative Coordinator is an integral component to the success of the MRSA initiative. The Coordinator works collaboratively with all levels of healthcare professionals. The individual will identify, reduce, and prevent health care related infection/colonization caused by MRSA in patients by identifying risks and implementing effective infection prevention and control measures based on current standards and/or recommendations. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6) OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Preferred Experience: At least 2-3 years of Intensive Care Unit or Medical-Surgical Nursing experience. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is required. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, kneeling, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects maybe required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or during patient procedures and care. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Use of fingers, both hands, and near and far vision is required. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The duties of the MRSA Coordinator include: 1. Uses evidence-based decision making to enhance patient care. 2. Identifies and monitors persons who are at risk for acquiring MRSA infections. 3. Challenges tradition and seeks scientific validation to support infection control principles and practices. 4. Develops, revises and evaluates all policies and procedures with infection control implications specific to MRSA transmission. 5. Conducts rounds with all appropriate staff, e.g. EMS, nursing, to assess the environment and provide input into infection control related issues specific to MRSA. 6. Reviews records of patients with a diagnosis of MRSA infection and/or colonization for surveillance data 7. Monitors all MRSA culture reports and assures appropriate follow-up action. 8. Provides expertise regarding MRSA infections/colonization, isolation precautions, and specific prevention/control interventions pertinent to the delivery of care to the patient. 9. Acts as a resource for the patient/employee/visitor for infection prevention/control related issues specific to MRSA. 10. Provides expertise in MRSA infection prevention and control for patient care, organizational and/or systems processes, improves outcomes at the program, service, and/or clinic level. 11. Provides support to VANIHCS regarding National Center for Patient Safety Goals as they relate to MRSA 12. Collects, analyzes and tracks pertinent infections data specific to MRSA infections/colonizations. Prepares and/or reviews reports making recommendations for improvement as indicated. 13. Knowledgeable regarding infection prevention methods and performance standards relative to MRSA infection prevention, patient management, and patient safety. 14. Role-specific Competency Checklist is complete and is rated competent in all measured areas. 15. Travel between both Marion and Fort Wayne campuses may be required. Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm to Include Occasional Extended Hours or Weekends Depending on Veteran Needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]

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