Description
Summary The Infection Control RN is responsible for implementation of the SFVA HCS Infection Control Program (ICP) and the MDRO Prevention Initiative as stated in VHA Directive 1131, insuring high quality practices to prevent and control transmission of infection across all sites and programs. The IC RN is a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary health care system wide program designed to monitor, prevent and control infections, and their adverse effects on patients, employees, trainees and visitors. Responsibilities The role of the IC RN is integral to the success of the Infection Prevention and Control Program. The IC RN should understand concepts of behavioral change, the principles of epidemiology, the ability to collect and analyze data, basic knowledge of microbiology and basic elements of patient care practice. The IC RN should preferentially have advanced training and/or certification in infection prevention and control. Duties include but not limited to: Responsible for providing competent, evidence-based infection control practices. 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 and Plan, determining appropriate resources needed to accomplish the proposed plan, communicating any variance to administration and revises plan as needed. 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. 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. Collaborates with Employee Occupational Health (EOH), Nursing, Pharmacy and other members of the interdisciplinary team to plan and implement the Immunization Program, i. e., influenza. Has an important role in various programs and systems within the organization, i. e., Reusable Medical Devices (RMD), Construction and Water Safety committees. Participates in risk assessments for all construction projects and completes random walk throughs of construction projects to inspect/review practices. Assesses compliance with policies through observations of practices by participating in environment of care rounds, construction safety rounds, and tracers. Implements and maintains a system for analyzing, trending, and reporting data. Assists in developing and maintaining mandatory documents such as standards operating procedures, policies, outbreak and exposure investigations, and external agency required documents. Responsible for the healthcare system hand hygiene compliance program and other duties as assigned by QPS management. 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: M-F 8:00-4:30pm varies on patient care needs Telework: Available at the discretion of the Nurse Manager Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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-d
Apply on company website
Find Connections via Linkedin
