Registered Nurse - Infection Preventionist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off (PTO)

Federal health/vision/dental insurance

Retirement and 401(k)

Job summary

The Registered Nurse - Infection Preventionist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs delivers core infection prevention knowledge to Veteran populations and VA staff while developing technical skills.

The role emphasizes education, surveillance, and collaboration with the interdisciplinary team to improve patient outcomes. Qualified candidates have an active RN license, nursing degree, and infection control experience.

Qualifications

• Proficient in English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Graduate of an approved nursing program with appropriate accreditation.
• License required: current, full, active RN license in US state or territory.

Responsibilities

• Serve as resource and advisor on infection prevention and control.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate infection control practices.
• Coordinate care with emphasis on education, self-management and patient satisfaction.
• Educate patients, families, staff on infection prevention and control.
• Participate in surveillance and environment of care rounds.

Skills

English proficiency

RN license

Infection control experience

Bridge program knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in nursing

Job description

Summary

The Registered Nurse - Infection Preventionist delivers fundamental infection control knowledge to the Veteran population and Veteran Affairs (VA) employees while developing technical skills.

Qualifications

• 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
• Preferred Experience: Certified in Infection Control (CIC) Previous experience as an Infection Prevention and Control Nurse (at least 2 years) BSN or MSN degree highly preferred 5 years of RN experience in an inpatient hospital setting 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: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13106575
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols
  

Duties

• The Registered Nurse - Infection Preventionist - duties include - but are not limited to the following: The Infection Preventionist serves as a resource and advisor on infection prevention and control matters
• Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates infection control practices based on age-specific components
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care
• Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Applies principles of infection prevention and control to current practice
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Conducts surveillance and/or environment of care rounds to assess practice and environmental issues
• Performs case and trend analysis - reporting and interpretation - inspections - and control measures
• Educates patients - families - volunteers - and hospital staff on infection - prevention and control processes and procedures
• Serves as a member of the Infection Prevention and Control Team and maintains Infection Prevention and Control policies
• Provides support in reviewing other medical center/service policies and procedures to ensure they comply with infection - prevention and control standards
• This position potentially requires flexibilities in schedule and assignments
• 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: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.