Summary

Delivers fundamental infection control knowledge to the Veteran population and Veteran Affairs (VA) employees while developing technical skills. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates infection control practices based on age-specific components. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines.

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/12707428
• 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: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs.)
• Pushing
• Straight pulling
• Pulling hand over hand
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 6 hours)
• Standing (up to 6 hours)
• Kneeling (Intermittent);Repeated bending (up to 6 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13 " to 16"
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 an to 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Emotional and Mental Stability.

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: The Infection Preventionist (IP) Registered Nurse (RN) promotes personal growth and development of infection control nursing practices
• The IP conducts surveillance indicators and monitoring to identify and reduce the risk of acquiring and transmitting infections among patients - employees - visitors - and students
• Contributes to the annual Infection Control Risk Assessment
• The IP provides education on infection control issues - as well as annual and ongoing trainings to staff
• The IP serves as an education resource for all employees on infection control - epidemiology - and provides knowledge and guidance
• Collaborates with Employee Occupational Health (EOH) and other members of the interdisciplinary team to plan and implement the immunization program - i.e. - influenza
• The IP assists the Infection Control Provider in managing the Clinical Case Registry (CCR) for Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and Hepatitis C - including providing reports and alerts to clinicians
• The IP has an important role in various programs and systems within the organization - i.e. - Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) - Construction and Water Safety committees
• The IP participates in risk assessments for all construction projects and completes random walk-throughs of construction projects to inspect/review practices
• The IP implements and maintains a system for analyzing - trending - and reporting data
• The IP assists in developing and maintaining mandatory documents such as standards operating procedures - policies - and external agency required documents
• Ensures the IP Program complies with all mandated Veteran Health Administration (VHA) - The Joint Commission (TJC) - Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Office of Inspector General (OIG) - applicable State - and all other requirements and guidelines
• The IP works collaboratively with other clinical and administrative departments and staff including - but not limited to - Industrial Hygiene - Patient Safety - Engineering - Risk Management - and EOH - in providing reports - consultative advice - and other data needed
• The IP serves on facility committees to communicate - educate - and provide consultation
• The IP brings principles and theory with limited application of critical thinking skills - while developing communication techniques and advancing infection control knowledge
• PRACTICE: Knowledge of professional nursing practice and the ability to apply the nursing process (assessment - diagnosis - outcome identification - planning - implementation - and evaluation) with close supervision
• Expectations: 1.Completes orientation according to expected standards
• 2.Works with close supervision - is responsible and accountable for individual nursing practice and seeks direction from others as needed
• 3.Manages workload as assigned - organizes - and completes own assignments in an efficient and appropriate manner
• 4.Participates in the development - implementation - and evaluation of interdisciplinary care
• VETERAN/PATIENT DRIVEN CARE: Knowledge of Veteran/patient driven care - patient experience - satisfaction - and safety
• Expectations: 1.Establishes a therapeutic relationship - allowing the patient to attain - maintain or regain optimal function through assessment and treatment
• 2.Engages patients - families - and other caregivers to incorporate knowledge - values - and beliefs into care planning without judgement or discrimination
• 3.Knowledgeable of ethical issues related to professional nursing practice and follows established policies of the practice setting - VA - and ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses
• 4.Aware of high reliability principles to deliver consistent care and improve patient outcomes
• LEADERSHIP: Communicates - collaborates - and utilizes leadership principles to perform as an effective member of the interprofessional team
• Expectations: 1.Demonstrates positive - effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Incorporates educational resources/opportunities and self-evaluation for professional growth
• Expectations: 1.Participates in unit based educational activities and continuing education requirements
• 2.Responsible for maintaining competency to continue personal and professional growth
• Work Schedule: 8 AM - 4:30 PM M-F - or depending on hospital needs