infection preventionist registered nurse - , CA, United States - Department of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

The Infection Preventionist (IP) Registered Nurse executes position responsibilities to improve patient and organizational outcomes.

The IP is responsible for providing expert, evidence-based infection, prevention, and control practices at San Francisco VA Healthcare System in the Quality and Patient Safety Department.

Learn more about this agency

Help

Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

05/07/2024 to 05/17/2024

• Salary

$149,816 - $221,900 per year

• Pay scale & grade

VN 00

• Help

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• San Francisco, CA 1 vacancy
• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -* Work schedule

Full-time -* Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

3

• Job family (Series)

0610 Nurse

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSW AR

• Control number

Help

This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

Open to San Francisco Employees ONLY

Videos

Help

Duties

The IP establishes surveillance indicators and conducts 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, determining appropriate resources needed to accomplish the proposed plan, communicating any variance to administration and revises plan as needed.

The IP provides education on infection control issues, as well as annual and ongoing trainings to staff. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals. The IP serves as an education resource for all employees on infection control, epidemiology, and provides knowledge and guidance.

Supports colleagues through knowledge sharing, while questioning clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence-based practices, to provide safe, quality nursing care.

Duties include:

• Collaborates with Employee Occupational Health (EOH) and other members of the interdisciplinary team to plan and implement the Immunization Program, i.e., influenza. Assesses occupational exposures to infectious diseases.
• The IP develops, implements, and evaluates the organizational infection prevention program.
• The IP participates in risk assessments for all construction projects and completes 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, outbreak and exposure investigations, and external agency required documents.
• The IP provides leadership in ensuring the Infection Control 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 regulations. The IP evaluates, reviews, and revising facility policies and procedures following national standard changes from Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), etc.
• The IP works collaboratively with other clinical and administrative departments and staff including, but not limited to, Nursing, 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. Committee may include reusable medical device committee, environment of care committee, construction safety committee, QI meetings etc.
• Functions as a liaison to Public Health officials regarding the reporting of communicable diseases and other epidemiological significant findings.
• The IP consults with and assists in the design of the Infection Control Program requirements in all services and departments of the organization. They are accountable to evaluate the quality of effectiveness of these programs in all practice settings.
• The IP provides for the systematic collection and analysis of infection data using current epidemiological principles.
• The IP incorporates the principles of fiscal responsibility into practice and initiates and participates in studies, education, and research activities related to infection control activities.
• The IP will provide programmatic outcomes that are visible at any organization level within the facility and Veterans Integrated Systems Network (VISN).
• The IP champions performance improvement processes to increase performance in associated measures on an ongoing basis.

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, 8:00am-4:30pm


Telework:
Ad-hoc, up to 1 tour of duty per pay period

Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.


Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized


Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required

Help

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Additional Information below for details.

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: 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.


Preferred Experience:

• Master's Degree in Nursing or Master's in a related field with a BSN from a Nationally accredited college or university.
• Two years of Nursing experience.

Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications


Grade 1:
$149,816-$199,250 annually


Grade 2:
$172,288-$221,900 annually


Grade 3:
$189,516-$221,900 annually


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:
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. 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, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Education


IMPORTANT:

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:
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:
Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy).

VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.

If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Read more

• Benefits

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.


NOTE:

Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected.

The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research.

Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.