Registered Nurse Multi-Drug Resistant Program Coordinator

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off: 50 days per year (26 +

Federal pension & 401(k) match

Job summary

The New Mexico VA Health Care System is seeking a Registered Nurse MDRO Program Coordinator to join the Quality and Patient Safety Service. The role focuses on infection prevention, coordination with clinical teams, and oversight of MDRO prevention initiatives across the health care system.

Responsibilities include data analysis, education for clinical staff, and collaboration with public health agencies. Applicants must meet VA nursing licensure standards and have strong infection prevention

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required.
• Nursing degree from ACEN/CCNE-accredited program or equivalent.
• Current, full, active RN license in the United States.
• GNT exception allows temporary appointment during licensure pursuit.
• Experience in infection prevention and control is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Serve as MDRO (multidrug-resistant organism) Prevention Coordinator within the Infection Prevention & Control team.
• Provide expert consultation on MDRO prevention and coordinate with health care providers and public health agencies.
• Develop and implement MDRO prevention initiatives and related procedures.
• Perform data collection, analysis, and reporting on MDRO-related activities and outbreaks.

Skills

Infection prevention & control

English proficiency

Leadership

Education

Nursing degree (RN)

Job description

Summary

The New Mexico VA Health Care System is looking for a Registered Nurse Multi-Drug Resistant Program Coordinator for our Quality and Patient Safety Service!

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-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: - 5 years Nursing or other health related field
• - 3 years Infection Prevention and Control experience preferred with Certification in Infection Prevention and Control preferred and required within 3 years of hire for highly qualified - uncertified candidates
• 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/13097956
• 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
• *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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Heavy carrying (45 lbs
• and over)
• Straight pulling and pushing
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking and standing up to 8 hours
• repeated bending
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• hearing aid permitted.

Duties

• The Registered Nurse (RN) - MDRO (Multidrug-Resistant Organism) Prevention Coordinator (MPC) at the New Mexico VA Heath Care System (NMVAHCS) practices within the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) section of the Office of Quality and Patient Safety (QPS)
• This 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 - volunteers - and visitors
• The incumbent will serve in a key position as part of the IPC and QPS teams and is organizationally responsible to the Chief of QPS
• The incumbent has clinical oversight by the Hospital Epidemiologist and direct administrative oversight by the RN Supervisor - IPC
• Duties and Responsibilities to include but not limited to: - Provides expert consultation and serves as a resource to all health-related disciplines on issues regarding MDRO prevention
• This includes working directly with health care providers - support services - and local - state - and national public health agencies in coordinating patient care and providing guidance to the health care system in the prevention of infection
• - Functions as a key staff member for the interpretation - coordination - implementation - and documentation of recommendations/standards issued by relevant professional organizations
• The Joint Commission (TJC) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) - and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Ensures compliance with regulatory agency standards - such as TJC - Office of Inspector General (OIG) - and Office of Medical Inspector (OMI)
• - Manages local aspects of MDRO Prevention Initiatives in collaboration with the IPC program
• Serves as the focal point and liaison for day-to-day operations - as well as for reporting and collecting MDRO data (e.g. - MRSA - Clostridioides difficile - carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae)
• Develops and evaluates local VA medical facility procedures related to the MDRO Prevention Initiative
• Activities of this incumbent are distinct from those of the Infection Preventionists and serve as a supplement to the overall lPC Program at NMVAHCS
• - Ensures appropriate measures/precautions are initiated in the care for patients as outlined in MDRO Prevention Initiatives
• Collects and analyzes data to determine the potential reasons for the transmission of infection and develops appropriate interventions
• Designs and implements focused studies to provide additional insight to identified problems/issues -Designs - participates in - and supports IPC/MDRO research activities - reviews recommended interventions proposed by research studies - and evaluates effectiveness of implementation
• - Prepares healthcare system-wide memoranda on all aspects of MORO prevention - incorporating the latest guidance from VA - APIC - CDC - TJC - OSHA - and other relevant agencies and professional organizations
• - Provides education on IP&C issues related to MDRO prevention for members of the clinical staff - administrative staff - volunteers - and patients/families on a routine basis utilizing a variety of methods
• Develops and conducts special training sessions as necessary when emergent issues (e.g. - outbreaks) are identified or when changes or new elements are added to MORO-related programs
• - Prepares reports of activities relevant to MDRO Prevention Initiatives with recommended solutions and presents to the involved services and committees - as well as the IP&C Committee and healthcare system administration
• Reports require analysis of epidemiological data - interventions - evaluation of effectiveness of interventions - and plans for follow-up
• - Prepares and presents findings to appropriate internal committees and external agencies as required (e.g. - MDRO Program Office)
• - Performs contact investigations and assists Infection Preventionists with outbreak management
• This includes regular communication to involved services - administration - and local - state - or national health agencies
• 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: 8:00am to 4:30pm M-F Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized This position requires 25% or less travel