RN Infectious Disease/Infection Prevention & Control Lead Coordinator

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Loma Linda (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Registered Nurse to lead infection prevention and control activities, ensuring compliance with VA and regulatory standards.

You will supervise infection control practices, coordinate education on self-management, and support customer service initiatives across the continuum of care. Responsibilities include leading surveillance of infections, developing policies, guiding clinical staff, and collaborating with safety, risk management, and

Qualifications

• Must be a graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by accrediting bodies (ACEN/CCNE).
• Current, full, active RN license in a U.S. state.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control standards and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead infection prevention program compliance with VHA, TJC, OSHA, OIG, and state regs.
• Review and revise facility infection control policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with clinical and administrative departments to provide reports and guidance.
• Participate in Infection Prevention and Control Committee meetings and annual program evaluations.

Skills

English language proficiency

Nursing knowledge

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

RN license

ACEN/CCNE accreditation knowledge

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Access

Job description

Summary

Registered Nurse is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising infection control practices. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the facility infection control quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs.

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
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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: 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/13073804
• 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 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: Pushing
• Straight pulling
• Pulling hand over hand
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 6 hours)
• Standing (up to 6 hours)
• Kneeling (Intermittent);Repeated bending (up to 6 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13"" to 16""
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 an to 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Emotional and Mental Stability.**If 10 hours shifts hours of moving - bending - standing - walking will be 10 hours.

Duties

• The IP provides leadership in ensuring the Infection Control Program complies with all mandated Veteran Health Administration (VHA) - The Joint Commission (TJC) - Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Office of Inspector General (OIG) - applicable State regulations
• The IP evaluates - reviews - and revising facility policies and procedures following national standard changes from Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) - Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) - Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) - etc
• The IP works collaboratively with other clinical and administrative departments and staff including - but not limited to - Industrial Hygiene - Patient Safety - Engineering - Risk Management - and EOH - in providing reports - consultative advice - and other data needed
• The IP serves on facility committees to communicate - educate - and provide consultation
• The Lead Coordinator is also responsible for keeping the Medical Center's Infection Control policies updated - being actively involved in leading and setting the agenda for the monthly Infection Prevention & Control Committee - and formulating and presenting the Annual Infection Prevention and Control Program Evaluation - Risk Assessment - and following year's program plan
• Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex patient care in their home setting to include initial and ongoing patient assessment to include the following: This nurse functions as the Team Lead for Infection Prevention and Control
• Engages with all levels of clinicians - non-licensed staff and leadership at the facility - VISN and National levels
• Communicates knowledge and understanding of mandatory requirements and standards of Joint Commission - OSHA - and California State Public Health as they relate to Infection Prevention
• Performs surveillance of infections and diseases - contact investigations and containment of infectious disease outbreaks - collection and analysis of infections to reduce risk and improve health outcomes
• Review best practices in infection prevention and works with all healthcare disciplines to implement these practices
• Participates in Environment of care and Construction rounds for the facility
• Provide Infectious Disease consultation to Community Living Center
• Supervise and cross-coverage with other Infection Prevention Nurse (s) as needed/requested
• Performs other related duties
• Assists in initiating and conducting appropriate epidemiological studies aimed at defining the nature - etiology - and control of Hospital acquired infection (HAI) outbreaks
• Participates in the development - implementation - and maintenance of infection control activities and functions as a liaison between the Medical Center - various regulatory agencies and the medical community
• Serves as an active member of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee and maintains data and correspondence pertaining to HAI
• Coordinates infection control program function with state and local health departments concerning patients with reportable communicable diseases
• Participates in the evaluation of equipment and supplies related to infection control
• Functions as a resource person for Employee Health Service on matters pertaining to infection control and exposures to communicable diseases
• Works closely with the Medical Center Safety Officer and Industrial Hygienist on environment of care issues that pertain to the practice of Infection Control and Occupational Health
• Develops the Infection Prevention & Control Program Plan - Annual Program Evaluation - and Risk Assessment Develops and keeps updated facility Infection Prevention & Control Guidelines/Policies
• Preferred Experience: Bachelor's Degree in health care related field - minimum
• 3 to 5 years experience in nursing field
• Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (APIC CIC) preferred and strongly recommended
• Previous infection prevention experience strongly desired -will be used as ranking criteria
• Knowledge of clinical practice guidelines and standards for prevention and control of infection
• Ability to utilize computers and Microsoft programs (e.g. - Word - Access - Excel and PowerPoint) to analyze data - prepare graphs and charts - and reports
• Work Schedule: TBD Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.