Infection Preventionist

Western State Hospital; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

Western State Hospital is seeking an Infection Preventionist. This role supports a comprehensive hospital-wide infection prevention, surveillance, and control program in line with Joint Commission, CDC, and state guidelines.

You will educate staff and patients and serve as a clinical consultant on infection prevention practices. The position requires an accredited nursing degree, VA RN licensure or compact eligibility, and significant inpatient nursing experience, especially with mental health

Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited nursing program.
• VA RN licensure or compact license eligible in Virginia.
• Significant inpatient nursing experience with mental illness preferred.
• MS Office (Word, Excel) and database experience required.
• Experience administering vaccinations.
• Experience in Infection Prevention and Control and Employee Health Services.
• IPC certification (a-IPC) to be taken within 90 days if CIC or LTC-CIP not yet obtained.
• CIC or LTC-CIP certification by end of year 3; initial exam costs covered by WSH.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement a hospital-wide infection prevention, surveillance, and control program per Joint Commission, CMAS, CDC, VDH, and OSHA guidelines.
• Serve as a consultant on Infection Prevention and Control issues; educate patients and staff.
• Direct and coordinate an hospital-wide IPC program, including policy/procedure development, education, surveillance, reporting, and action plans.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Accredited nursing program graduate

VA Registered Nurse license or compact license

Tools

MS Office

Database experience

Job description

Title: Infection Preventionist

State Role Title: Registered Nurse Manager I

Hiring Range: $97,028 to $133,899

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Responsibilities

Responsible for the coordination and implementation of a comprehensive hospital wide program of infection prevention, surveillance, and control according to The Joint Commission, CMAS, CDC, VDH, and relevant OSHA guidelines and standards for hospital and psychiatric facilities. Serves as a consultant on Infection Prevention and Control issues. Provides patient and staff education on matters of Infection Prevention and Control practice and procedure.

Job duties are to demonstrate extensive hospital nursing skills including principles, practices, and standards of nursing to provide care appropriate to adult populations with mental and physical illnesses. To demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of standards and guidelines relating to Infection Prevention and Control from the Joint Commission, OSHA (especially Blood-borne Pathogen standard), CDC (especially Tuberculosis Control), and the Virginia Department of Health. Must demonstrate the ability to direct and coordinate a hospital-wide Infection Prevention and Control program. This includes but is not limited to policy and procedure development; staff and patient education; surveillance and monitoring; reporting and making recommendations; implementing plans of action and evaluating results. Employee Health experience and knowledge of adult vaccination recommendations.

Must be able to effectively utilize interpersonal skills to communicate, listen, resolve conflict, and motivate others. Strong computer skills including data entry and analysis with graphic display to show trends is needed.

Must be able to work independently with a minimum of supervision; make difficult decisions with authority and ownership and through appropriate consultation; resolve complex problems using data, obtaining input from others, and evaluating results and handle multiple priorities through time management, organizational skills, and delegation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have graduated from an accredited nursing program.
• Must have VA Registered Nurse licensure or a compact license that is eligible to be utilized in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Significant experience in nursing required with experience working in an inpatient setting relating to mental illness preferred.
• MS Office software (Word, Excel) and database experience required.
• Experience in administering vaccinations.
• Experience in Infection Prevention and Control provision of required Employee Health Services.
• The a-IPC (Associate-Infection Prevention and Control) entry-level certification examination must be taken within 90 days of hire if CIC or LTC-CIP has not been obtained.
• CIC or LTC_CIP certification examination must be taken by the end of the third year of employment. Cost of the initial exam required will be the responsibility of WSH; subsequent exam expenses will be the employee's responsibility.

Additional Considerations

• Administrative Experience Preferred
• Experience working in a facility treating mental illness
• Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities.
• Certification in Infection and Control (CIC) or a Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTL_CIP).
• Bi-lingual Spanish and English is preferred.