The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible and accountable for the planning, designing, integrating, implementing, and modification of the Infection Control Program. 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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: 2 years minimum RN experience in a clinical setting. Minimum of 2 years of Infection Control experience. Certification of Infection Control (CIC) preferred, and BSN preferred. 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: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting. ["A recruitment/relocation incentive is authorized for this position. The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Registered Nurse (RN) collaborates with the Chief of Quality Management along with other health care professionals to ensure that all services are using infection control methods to reduce the risk of infection to patients, families, and staff. S/he is responsible for performing comprehensive surveillance for healthcare associated infections and epidemiologically. Applies epidemiologic principles and statistical methods. Conducts on-going surveillance using Center of Disease Control (CDC)/VHA infection criteria, documentation, and investigations. Assess environmental controls. Collects data on the incidence of selected device use in intensive care units and other patient care areas. Directs investigation of unusual hospital infection outbreaks. Reports all in-house patients with communicable disease to the county and/or state health department and maintain appropriate records. The IPC RN contributes to the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Service Unit Infection Control (IC) Program including the TB program and Infection Control and Prevention Plan. Provides infection control education to all staff. Serves as a consultant to administrative and medical professionals, housekeeping and allied health staff on matters involving healthcare acquired infection, institutional and employee health programs. Duties include, but not limited to: - Identifying and facilitating options and services for meeting patient's health needs while decreasing fragmentation and duplication of care and enhancing quality, cost effective clinical care. - Collaborates with teams and individuals to create infection prevention strategies, provide feedback, and sustain infection prevention strategies. Participates in process improvement efforts and projects, which may be accomplished through committee memberships, serving on System Redesign teams or through specialized workgroups and/or assignments. - Maintaining and managing Infection Control monthly meetings and minutes, activity records and generates reports addressing trends and patterns; outcomes are provided to clinical and administrative services to ensure utilization of hospital resources. - Serving a critical support role in assuring that both clinical and administrative programs are following accrediting standards and regulatory requirements. - Collaborating with Patient Safety, Sterile Processing, and other stakeholders in execution of assigned job duties as needed. Actively participating in all activities of the Infection Control Program. - Covers in the absence of the Multi-Drug Resistant Organism Coordinator (MDRO) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards 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 Telework: Available, Ad Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
