The Infection Control Registered Nurse is responsible for providing clinical infection control expertise for all programs and across all settings in the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Heath Care System. The incumbent reports to the Assistant Chief of Quality Management. 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: 2 years minimum RN experience in an inpatient acute hospital setting. Minimum of 2 years of Infection Control Experience. Certification in Infection Control (CIC) 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: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Straight pulling (2 hours), pulling hand over hand (0.5 hour), pushing (1 hour), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (8 hours), standing (6 hours), kneeling (1/4 hour), repeated bending (1 hour), both 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 to 20/40 in the other, specific visual requirement (read medication labels), both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), mental and emotional stability. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards ***This is an open continuous announcement until September 29, 2023 or until the position is filled, whichever occurs first. Qualified Applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. All applicants may receive consideration for 3 months from the date of application. If you wish to be considered after that period, and the announcement is still open to receive applications, you must re-apply to indicate your continued interest.*** The Infection Control (IC) Registered Nurse duties include but not limited to: Collects, monitors, analyzes, and makes recommendations relative to IC surveillance and other relevant IC data. Complies with managing the local aspects of the MDRO Prevention initiatives. Evaluates and reports on Infectious Disease outbreaks with the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Heath Care System (SLVHCS). Communicates, implements, and monitors compliance with IC regulatory and accreditation standards and requirements. Participates in facility inspections and audits. Ensures appropriate isolation precautions are implemented as applicable. Collaboration with, among others, the medical facility's Dental, Employee/Occupational Health, Facilities Management/Environmental Management Services, Nursing, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Quality Improvement, Sterile Processing Service, Safety Departments and Environment of Care process, Surgery Service (including VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program [VASQIP]), Process/Nutrition and Food Services, Accident and Sharps Review Board, Clinical Informatics, along with CLC leadership and other clinical care programs. Review of facility's plan for major/minor construction and renovation projects. Collaborate with each VA medical setting (e.g., Acute Care, Ambulatory Care, Behavioral Health, CLC, Rehabilitation Unit, etc.) to support that infection prevention and control policies/practices are in place and to ensure that they are consistent with VA authoritative documents and guidelines recommended by accrediting agencies. Collaborate with other VA medical facilities and non-VA medical facilities and public health authorities in the community regarding infectious diseases. Develops and presents IC educational programs to all SLVHCS staff, Veterans, Veteran families, and volunteers. Assists in creating and /or updating IC related written policies and procedures. Provides IC orientation to new employees, medical students, and medical residents. Collaborates with Occupational Health to prevent workplace-related infectious diseases in employees. Collaborates with Health Care Facility Staff to ensure hand hygiene program is compliant with current healthcare organization accreditation standards. Communicates and interacts appropriately and courteously with internal and external customers. Maintains confidentiality of patient/employee information in all forms. Consistently utilizes and demonstrates applicable principles of IC in daily work including PPE where applicable. Integrates pertinent aspects of performance in improvement into professional practice. Utilizes evidence-based IC literature and research in daily practice. Other duties as assigned by the Chief and/or Assistant Chief of QM. 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, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Available as determined by the agency policy. 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 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.
