Summary The Infection Control Nurse is a NOVICE nurse, with, upon hiring, no experience of the situations in which they are ultimately expected to perform. In this first year, the novice is "taught about situations in terms of objective attributes. These attributes are features of the task that can be recognized without situational experience. Responsibilities The Infection Control Nurse demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for a group of patients. The Infection Control Nurse is responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level. Program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility, VISN, or VACO. Provides clinical infection control (IC) expertise for all programs and across all settings in the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Heath Care System (SLVHCS). Collects, monitors, analyzes, and makes recommendations relative to IC surveillance and other relevant IC data. Communicates, implements, and monitors compliance with IC regulatory and accreditation standards and requirements. Participates in facility inspections and audits. Collaboration with, among others, the medical facility's Dental, Employee/Occupational Health, Facilities Management/Environmental Management Services, Nursing, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Quality Improvement, Sterile Processing Service, Safety Departments and Environment of Care process, Surgery Service (including VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program [VASQIP), Process/Nutrition and Food Services, Accident and Sharps Review Board, Clinical Informatics, along with CLC leadership and other clinical care programs. Review of facility's plan for major/minor construction and renovation projects. Collaborate with each VA medical setting (e.g., Acute Care, Ambulatory Care, Behavioral Health, CLC, Rehabilitation Unit, etc.) to support that infection prevention and control policies/practices are in place and to ensure that they are consistent with VA authoritative documents and guidelines recommended by accrediting agencies. An I.P. RN should understand concepts of behavioral change, the principles of epidemiology, the ability to collect and analyze data, basic knowledge of microbiology and basic elements of patient care practice. The ICP 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. An I.P. RN should understand concepts of behavioral change, the principles of epidemiology, the ability to collect and analyze data, basic knowledge of microbiology and basic elements of patient care practice. I.P. RN's should preferentially have advanced training and/or certification in infection prevention and control. Complies with managing the local aspects of the Multiple Drug Resistant Organism (MDRO) prevention initiatives. Evaluates and reports on Infectious Disease outbreaks with the SLVHCS. Ensures appropriate isolation precautions are implemented as applicable. Collaborates with Occupational Health to prevent workplace-related infectious diseases in employees. Consistently utilizes and demonstrates applicable principles of IC in daily work including PPE where applicable. Collaborates with Health Care Facility Staff to ensure hand hygiene program is compliant with current healthcare organization accreditation standards. Integrates pertinent aspects of performance in improvement into professional practice. Utilizes evidence based IC literature and research in daily practice. 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 7:30am-04:00pm subject to change based on the facility needs Telework: Ad-Hoc situational Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. 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/12910517. 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. Preferred Experience: 2 years minimum RN experience in an inpatient acute hospital setting. Minimum of 2 years of Infection Control Experience. Certification in Infection Control CIC Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Straight pulling(2hrs), Pulling hand over hand(.5hrs), Pushing(1hr), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking(8hrs),Standing(6hrs), Kneeling(1/4), Repeated bending(1hrs), Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Specific visual requirement (specify) Read medication labels, Both eyes required, Depth Perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), Mental and Emotional Stability Environmental Factors: Excessive humidity, Excessive dampness or chilling, Excessive noise, intermittent, Radiant energy, Electrical energy, Slippery or uneven walking surfaces, Unusual fatigue factors(working), Working with hands in water, Working closely with others, Working alone, Protracted or irregular hours of work, irregular hours of work, wearing aseptic mask Education Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
