Nurse (Infection Control)

Indian Health Service; Kayenta (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing available

Job summary

The Indian Health Service seeks a Nurse (Infection Control and Prevention) at Kayenta Health Center to plan, implement, and evaluate the ICP Program. You will conduct surveillance, respond to outbreaks, provide guidance, and ensure compliance with federal and accreditation standards.

You will educate staff and serve as a facility-wide consultant on isolation, exposure management, and infection prevention practices, leading performance improvement and data reporting with NHSN submissions.

Qualifications

• Active RN license in the United States.
• BSN or higher nursing education from an accredited program.
• Experience in infection prevention or healthcare quality improvement preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Infection Surveillance and Outbreak investigations using CDC/NHSN criteria.
• Manage the Infection Prevention and Control Program including policies and annual plans.
• Ensure regulatory/ accreditation compliance and prepare documentation for CMS/JCI/AAAHC.
• Provide infection prevention education and staff consultations facility-wide.
• Lead performance improvement and data reporting including NHSN submissions.

Skills

Infection prevention

Infection surveillance

Regulatory compliance

Staff education

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing

Job description

The purpose of this position is to serve as a Nurse (Infection Control and Prevention) at Kayenta Health Center in Kayenta, AZ. The incumbent independently plans, implements, and evaluates the ICP Program; conducts infection surveillance and outbreak response; provides technical guidance; and ensures compliance with federal, accreditation, and IHS infection prevention standards.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Duties

• Conduct Infection Surveillance and Outbreak Investigations - Designs and performs ongoing surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) using CDC and NHSN criteria; analyzes infection data to identify trends, clusters, risks, and potential outbreaks; and investigates epidemiologically significant infections.
• Manage the Infection Prevention and Control Program - Establishes, implements, and evaluates infection prevention policies, procedures, annual risk-based program plans, and compliance activities to support an effective facility-wide ICP program.
• Ensure Regulatory and Accreditation Compliance - Interprets and applies infection prevention requirements and standards, gathers and validates compliance documentation, and responds to findings from oversight and accrediting organizations such as CMS, Joint Commission, and AAAHC.
• Provide Infection Prevention Education and Consultation - Provides infection prevention education and training to clinical and non-clinical staff, patients, and visitors; serves as a facility-wide consultant on isolation precautions, exposure management, and infection prevention practices; and provides subject-matter expertise to committees.
• Lead Performance Improvement and Data Reporting - Leads infection prevention performance‑improvement initiatives by analyzing and communicating surveillance data, recommending corrective actions, preparing reports for leadership and committees, and validating and submitting surveillance data to NHSN and other approved systems.

Total Compensation Package

Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Registered Nurse Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

Requirements

Conditions of employment:

• Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
• This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.
• On‑call hours or standby duty may be required.
• Successfully pass the E‑Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E‑Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

Background Investigation Requirement

This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service. Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement

This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying. Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court‑ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service.

Identification

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state‑issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID‑compliant.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Basic Requirement(s)

• Education: A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
• Degree from Foreign Nursing School: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.
• Licensure: For all grade levels and positions, applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination. In addition, they must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

Basic Requirements for the GS-12 Grade Level

• Successful completion of a PHD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or related medical science field; or
• At least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-9 grade level) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree from a professional nursing educational program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Your Resume Must Demonstrate At Least One (1) Year Of Specialized Experience Equivalent To At Least The Next Lower Grade Level In The Federal Service Obtained In Either The Private Or Public Sector Performing The Following Type Of Work And/or Tasks: Independently planning, implementing, and evaluating infection prevention and control activities in a healthcare setting; conducting surveillance of healthcare-associated infections; analyzing infection data; and investigating potential outbreaks. Experience also includes interpreting and applying infection prevention and regulatory standards, developing or implementing policies and procedures, providing technical guidance and education to healthcare staff, and recommending corrective actions to improve patient safety and regulatory compliance.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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 https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case‑by‑case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

This position does have housing available.

Student Loan Repayment Programs

The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources And Services Administration (HRSA) have Student Loan Repayment Programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit:

For IHS - http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/

For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/

For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps

PHS Commissioned Corps

This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/.

You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.

Application Process

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions. Your responses are optional and will not be scored. However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process. You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).

• How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government?
• In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?
• How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role?
• How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?
• Your responses are optional and will not be scored.
• However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process.
• You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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 window Learn 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.