Registered Nurse

Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Location: Louisville
Posted on: September 16, 2020

Job Description:

SummaryThe Infection Control & Prevention Coordinator (ICPC) is a highly skilled professional who provides leadership and manages all aspects of the Infection Control Program, serving as the focal point of the identification, surveillance, reporting of data to key stakeholders, prevention, and control of infections in patients and staff in the medical center and related community facilities in accordance with VHA Directives, national infection control and prevention standards and guidelines.ResponsibilitiesThe Infection Control & Prevention Coordinator responsibilities include but not limited to: Coordinating and managing all aspects of the Medical Center's Infection Control Program Serves as an expert consultant in infection prevention and control for staff, students, patients, families, and visitors based on nationally established infection control guidelines and standards. The ICPC must have knowledge in areas of patient care practices, microbiology, asepsis, environmental infection prevention and control, disinfection/sterilization, adult education, infectious diseases, communication, program administration, construction, safety and epidemiology. Responsible for collecting and analyzing data on targeted infection rates, prevalence rates, compliance rates, transmission rates, and colonization rates of infections and reporting that data to key stakeholders including the VHA National Data Base, Inpatient Evaluation Center (IPEC). Collects data relevant to quality improvement efforts in infection control and uses the data effectively to evaluate outcomes; participates in the development, review, and revision of Infection Control Guidelines, policies, and procedures consistent with national standards for infection prevention. Ensures the practices of healthcare employees, visitors, and students are consistent with internal and external infection prevention standards through data collection, interpretation, reporting of findings with an appropriate action plan, implementation of plan with appropriate collaborations, and evaluation. Collaborates with the Multidrug-resistant Organism (MORO) Prevention Coordinator, Occupational Health staff, Sterile Processing Service, Safety/Industrial Hygienist staff, administration and multidisciplinary teams to evaluate the environment of patients and related areas and patient care equipment and products to ensure they meet the internal and external standards of infection control and prevention and recommends or enforces changes in practices or products to reduce the risk of infection to patients, staff, students, patients, and visitors. Assesses the infection prevention educational needs of all healthcare staff, patients, and visitors, and implements an educational plan to meet those needs and meet the requirements of Joint Commission. Is directly responsible and accountable to the Nurse Manager, Nursing Quality and Performance Improvement.. Works with administration and multidisciplinary teams to evaluate the environment, equipment and products to ensure they meet the standards of infection control and prevention. In addition, maintains close partnership with the VHA MDRO & Infectious Disease Program Offices. Implements an educational plan to meet the requirements of Joint Commission and other regulatory agencies.Is directly responsible and accountable to the Chief of Quality & Safety. Participates in service, medical center, VISN committees and task forces to improve patient care outcomes and safety. Participates in service, medical center, VISN committees and task forces to improve patient care outcomes and safety. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:30 pmFinancial Disclosure Report: Not requiredPay Schedule: NW 70RequirementsConditions of EmploymentQualificationsApplicants 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. 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 qualifications: 3 - 5 years Nursing Experience preferred 1 - 2 Infection Prevention Experience preferred Master's in Nursing degree preferred Infection Prevention/APIC certification preferred 3 - 5 years Nursing Experience preferred 1 - 2 Infection Prevention Experience preferred Master's in Nursing degree preferred Infection Prevention/APIC certification 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. 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: All applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position. Must be able to lift (30 lbs or more); twisting and/or bending, standing. 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. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. 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, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The incumbent must complete all annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB Screening or testing, as a condition of employmentEducationIMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Additional InformationAnnual leave shall accrue for full-time Nurses, and Nurse Anesthetists at the rate of 8 hours for each full biweekly pay period. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

Keywords: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Louisville , Registered Nurse, Healthcare , Louisville, Kentucky