Infection Preventionist RN

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Tuscaloosa (AL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Nurse Infection Preventionist (RN) to lead infection prevention efforts, improve patient and organizational outcomes, and manage complex regulatory requirements with independence and attention to detail.

Ideal candidates will have a nursing license current in the United States and experience in infection control, surveillance, and audit activities, with a proactive problem-solving approach and ability to learn large programs quickly.

Qualifications

• English proficiency required to meet VA standards.
• Graduate of a professional nursing program approved by an accrediting body (ACEN or CCNE) or eligible for bridge programs with licensure.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in a US state or territory.

Skills

English language proficiency

Infection prevention

Registered Nurse license

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing or Diploma in Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Job description

The Nurse Infection Preventionist (IP) Registered Nurse (RN) executes position responsibilities to improve patient and organizational outcomes. The Nurse Infection Preventionist is a quick learner who can master large, complex programs and regulatory requirements independently while maintaining attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

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

Grade/Level: Nurse I, Level I

Scope: Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies.

Education: An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required.

Grade/Level: Nurse I, Level II

Scope: Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex.

Education: 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.

Grade/Level: Nurse I, Level III

Scope: Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations.

Education: 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.

Grade/Level: Nurse II

Scope: Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others.

Education: 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.

Grade/Level: Nurse III

Scope: Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting.

Education: 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: 5 years of RN experience, previous work as an infection preventionist; experience conducting infection surveillance, outbreak investigations, analyzing infection trends; participation in hospital control audits, familiarity with reporting healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) to National Healthcare Safety Network; regulatory compliance. Seeking an experienced Infection Preventionist who can independently assume program responsibilities immediately.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The position requires potentially long periods of combined walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable or working effectively in stressful situation, able to shift priorities based on needs of the organization. The incumbent who provides off-site training may be required to travel occasionally. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments.

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13106790