The Infection Preventionist (IP) is a professional registered nurse who is accountable for the multiple facets of the Hines Infection Control Program, which is aligned under the Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) Service. The nurse's primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, or community (ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses).The IP Nurse meets the needs of customers while supporting the Hines VAH mission. Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), 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 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12479128. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. 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. Preferred Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) 2-3 years of Infection Irevention Experience The IP Nurse is responsible for ensuring his/her actions contribute to a mode of continued accreditation readiness and ability to articulate standards of care and practice, policies, and procedures/SOPs. Responsible for initiating and completing documentation daily. Not all duties may be listed, so other duties may be assigned within the scope of practice/by the supervisor on duty. Responsible for always maintaining professional/ethical boundaries with veterans and family/friends. The IP Nurse is directly responsible to the IC Managerv within the Quality and Patient Safety Service. 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, bending, pulling, and pushing up to 45 pounds. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Occupational Health requirements, as a condition of employment. ["Responsibilities of the Infection Control Consultant (IP) RN include performing infection surveillance, conducting epidemiological investigations, preparing, and reporting data, providing education to staff and patients on infection control topics, and working in collaboration with other health professionals and/or individuals to ensure that all product line/program areas are in compliance with health care as it relates to the practice of Infection Prevention and Control. The IC RN position reports to the Manager, Infection Control and works collaboratively with the Infection Control Committee/Infectious Disease physician to create a safe and clean environment for patient care. Quality management duties shall include engaging in investigative and/or audit functions, i.e., TJC, Sentinel Events, OIG, Fact Findings, etc. Functions and Responsibilities: - Identifying and implementing infection prevention and control activities that are specific to the setting, population and care provided. - Applying epidemiologic principles and statistical methods to identify target populations, analyze trends and risk factors, and design and evaluate prevention and control strategies. This includes outbreak and exposure, incidents. - Obtaining and managing critical data and information; including a systematic approach to infection surveillance to monitor the effectiveness of prevention and control strategies. - Educating and training healthcare workers and patients for infection prevention and control and healthcare epidemiology. - Preventing and controlling infections between employees and patients; including collaborative activities with employee health. - Providing expert knowledge and consultation in infection prevention and control and healthcare epidemiology-related issues. - Identifying and participating in performance improvement opportunities based on indicators, process and outcome measures, and other findings/observations. - Providing ongoing evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of the infection control program and plan. - Integration of pertinent regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, professional guidelines, and current infection control practices into developing and recommending policies and procedures. - Maintaining compliance with professional, regulatory, and accrediting standards. - Reporting and collaborating with local and state. health departments of communicable diseases and related conditions to assist with control of infectious diseases in the community. - Participation in the infection prevention and control issues of the facility's Environment of Care, Emergency Preparedness, and construction projects. - Applying relevant research findings to infection prevention and control practices and/or participates in infection prevention and control-related research independently or collaboratively. - Considering financial implications when making recommendations for changes in infection control prevention and control practices. - Collaborating and providing care of patients seen in the Infectious Disease Clinic. - Assists in evaluating the effectiveness of the Infection Control Program and Risk Assessment at least annually. - Performs other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Quality and Patient Safety Service, Veterans, and the organization. The IP Nurse meets the needs of customers while supporting the Hines VAH mission. Functions as an advanced clinician and executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patient care. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates delivery of care based on age specific components. Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for a group of patients. They demonstrate sound decision-making and judgment and possess excellent interpersonal skills. They are self-directed and influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team and leading innovative process improvement initiatives. 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: Monday thruFriday, 8am-430pm, Rotating Weekends every 4 weeks Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS):Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
