Registered Nurse - Infection Preventionist

Summary The IPC RN provides leadership which facilitates delivery of quality patient care for inpatients and outpatients within the VA San Diego Healthcare System - community - and other health professionals in the field of infection prevention and control. This nurse provides leadership in improving patient care - maintaining standards of care - and directing and teaching personnel in a variety of settings.

Qualifications 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/12863802

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 and no 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: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over)

Straight Pulling - Pushing - Walking - Standing - Repeated bending (8 - 12 hours)

Reaching above shoulder

Use of fingers

Both hands and legs required

Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously

Near vision correctable at 13\" to 16\" to Jaeger 1 to 4

Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other

Both eyes required

Depth perception

Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors

Hearing (aid permitted)

Emotional/Mental stability

Keyboarding and reading computer screen (8-12 hours intermittently over scheduled shift).

Duties

The Infection Prevention & Control Nurse Registered Nurse assumes the following roles and responsibilities: This position requires flexibility in schedule and assignment - as this is a 24/7 facility

Demonstrate grade appropriate and consistent critical thinking skills

The nurse can manage the problem safely and effectively - recognizing his/her scope of practice (Performs assessment of patient condition and response to treatment and/or assessment of clinical documentation relevant to program initiatives.) Able to communicate and initiates referrals to other disciplines and/or services as appropriate

Organizes and completes own assignments in an effective and timely manner

Begin to strengthen interpersonal skills for effective information exchange and problem solving with all levels of management - consultants - and outside agencies

Effectively functions as a team member for the unit to effectively carry out Infection Prevention processes & goals

Begin to strengthen analytical and critical thinking skills - and learning to analyze problems - determine appropriate level of intervention - and develop and apply effective solutions

Organizes and completes own assignments in an effective and timely manner - assisting team members as necessary

Begins to strengthen organizational and project management skills - with the ability to lead a team - prioritize tasks - and see projects through from inception to completion

Participates as a member on formal service level committees - councils - or performance improvement teams

Assesses staff member or patient learning needs - learning preference - and readiness to learn

Modifies teaching approach based on knowledge of human of human behavior - motivations and reactions to situations

Assists Unit Practice Council - and the Nurse Manager in the development - maintenance - and implementation of the Unit Score Card - addressing process related to the feedback from All Employee Survey

Develops subject matter expertise in IPC elements

Begins to initiate - lead - and evaluate performance improvement efforts related to Infection Prevention and Control programs

(Competent in proper use of personal protective equipment)

Begins to perform IPC surveillance - consultation and risk assessments and promotes quality outcomes

Maintains accessible data

Participates in the organization of IPC educational activities Begins to review - analyze - and incorporate current regulations - standards - and/or guidelines of applicable professional organizations - accrediting or regulatory bodies into practice and policies

Participates in data management and analysis

Begins to prepare reports to present accurate data with recommendations to IPCC - quality council - and others as required

Begins to formulate IPC outcomes for groups of patients - staff and the organization

Participates in interdisciplinary groups promoting decisions that positively impact patient and programmatic outcomes - services - and maintains knowledge and understanding of regulatory requirements and promotes compliance with agencies such as The Joint Commission (TJC) - the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations - VHA national Infectious Disease Program requirements and VHA/VASDHS strategic initiatives Learns to apply epidemiologic principles and statistical methods to identify target populations - analyze trends - risk factors - and evaluate prevention and control strategies

Participates in the development of strategies with nursing leadership - the chief of infectious disease and other sections or services to evaluate and manage complex events and unexpected situations such as exposures - outbreaks - and environmental emergencies

Performs all other tasks/duties as assigned

Preferred Experience: At least two years of experience in Infection Prevention & Control - preferred

Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred or willingness to obtain Certification in Infection Control within 2 years of hire

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 - Friday 0800 am -1630 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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