Summary

The IPC RN provides leadership which facilitates delivery of quality patient care for inpatients and outpatients within the VA San Diego Healthcare System - community - and other health professionals in the field of infection prevention and control. This nurse provides leadership in improving patient care - maintaining standards of care - and directing and teaching personnel in a variety of settings.

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
• 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/12863802
• 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: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over)
• Straight Pulling - Pushing - Walking - Standing - Repeated bending (8 - 12 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands and legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Emotional/Mental stability
• Keyboarding and reading computer screen (8-12 hours intermittently over scheduled shift).

Duties

• The Infection Prevention & Control Nurse Registered Nurse assumes the following roles and responsibilities: This position requires flexibility in schedule and assignment - as this is a 24/7 facility
• Demonstrate grade appropriate and consistent critical thinking skills
• The nurse can manage the problem safely and effectively - recognizing his/her scope of practice (Performs assessment of patient condition and response to treatment and/or assessment of clinical documentation relevant to program initiatives.) Able to communicate and initiates referrals to other disciplines and/or services as appropriate
• Organizes and completes own assignments in an effective and timely manner
• Begin to strengthen interpersonal skills for effective information exchange and problem solving with all levels of management - consultants - and outside agencies
• Effectively functions as a team member for the unit to effectively carry out Infection Prevention processes & goals
• Begin to strengthen analytical and critical thinking skills - and learning to analyze problems - determine appropriate level of intervention - and develop and apply effective solutions
• Organizes and completes own assignments in an effective and timely manner - assisting team members as necessary
• Begins to strengthen organizational and project management skills - with the ability to lead a team - prioritize tasks - and see projects through from inception to completion
• Participates as a member on formal service level committees - councils - or performance improvement teams
• Assesses staff member or patient learning needs - learning preference - and readiness to learn
• Modifies teaching approach based on knowledge of human of human behavior - motivations and reactions to situations
• Assists Unit Practice Council - and the Nurse Manager in the development - maintenance - and implementation of the Unit Score Card - addressing process related to the feedback from All Employee Survey
• Develops subject matter expertise in IPC elements
• Begins to initiate - lead - and evaluate performance improvement efforts related to Infection Prevention and Control programs
• (Competent in proper use of personal protective equipment)
• Begins to perform IPC surveillance - consultation and risk assessments and promotes quality outcomes
• Maintains accessible data
• Participates in the organization of IPC educational activities Begins to review - analyze - and incorporate current regulations - standards - and/or guidelines of applicable professional organizations - accrediting or regulatory bodies into practice and policies
• Participates in data management and analysis
• Begins to prepare reports to present accurate data with recommendations to IPCC - quality council - and others as required
• Begins to formulate IPC outcomes for groups of patients - staff and the organization
• Participates in interdisciplinary groups promoting decisions that positively impact patient and programmatic outcomes - services - and maintains knowledge and understanding of regulatory requirements and promotes compliance with agencies such as The Joint Commission (TJC) - the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations - VHA national Infectious Disease Program requirements and VHA/VASDHS strategic initiatives Learns to apply epidemiologic principles and statistical methods to identify target populations - analyze trends - risk factors - and evaluate prevention and control strategies
• Participates in the development of strategies with nursing leadership - the chief of infectious disease and other sections or services to evaluate and manage complex events and unexpected situations such as exposures - outbreaks - and environmental emergencies
• Performs all other tasks/duties as assigned
• Preferred Experience: At least two years of experience in Infection Prevention & Control - preferred
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred or willingness to obtain Certification in Infection Control within 2 years of hire
• 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 0800 am -1630 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized