The practice of the Infection Preventionist is based on knowledge, experience, and research and has a direct impact on patient outcomes in the assigned areas and for the facility. The Infection Preventionist (IP) is responsible for facilitating the fulfillment of the Medical Center's Mission, Vision, and Values. IP provides leadership by identifying and maintaining Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) standards for the practice of all services.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Infection Preventionist/Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) Coordinator is directly responsible to the Infection Preventionist Program Manager through the Chief of Staff and demonstrates and ensures staff working practices that include adherence to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) standards and safe use and operation of associated equipment. Major duties include, but are not limited to: In the leadership role, IPs participate in assessing the environment, analyzing trends, transmitting data, communicating ideas, developing, and implementing policies, initiating programs and systems, and collaborating in the management resources. The IP demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of patients and residents served. This knowledge includes understanding changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric population. The incumbent has knowledge in areas of patient care practices, microbiology, asepsis, disinfection/sterilization, adult education, infectious diseases, communication, program administration and healthcare epidemiology. This position/role involves clinical, administrative, research and educational components which impact patients and healthcare personnel throughout the medical center. The incumbent ensures the practice of nursing is consistent with external standards such as The Joint Commission (TJC) and Strategic Analysis for Improvement and Learning (SAIL), and internal standards such as clinical practice guidelines and Performance Measures for preventive health and chronic disease management as they relate to the IP role. The IP demonstrates expertise and comprehensive understanding of IPC practice issues. IPC plays a leadership role in ongoing systematic evaluation and improvement of quality and effectiveness of nursing care and patient outcomes. The incumbent has responsibility for hospital-wide implementation of the MDRO Prevention program under the direction of the IP Program Manager or designee. The IP MDRO Prevention Coordinator adheres to established policies, standards of care, and standards of practice; demonstrates leadership when providing care/IP guidance; serves as a role model under the direction of the Chief of Staff, Associate Director of Patient Care Services, and tenured IP Program Manager. The IP is responsible and accountable for training and monitoring activities, to include weekends, off-tours and holidays as needed. This position may entail other duties as assigned, and travel to the facility-associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) routinely. The IP is responsible for performing activities that reflect the educational, experiential and competency requirements in the four dimensions of Practice, Professional Development, Collaboration, and Scientific Inquiry. The incumbent will complete all other duties as assigned, pertaining to this occupation, to meet the needs of the Agency, Department, Facility, and/or Service. In addition, the professional nurse is accountable and responsible for possessing the knowledge and skills to: 1. Maintain confidentiality of electronic, written, and/or verbal patient/employee information. 2. Demonstrate working practices that include adherence to Infection Prevention and Control standards and the safe use and operation of equipment. 3. Contribute to development of the therapeutic community within the various mental health settings. 4. Communicate and interact appropriately and courteously with all internal and external customers. 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; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; however, schedule and/or tour of duty may vary dependent upon the needs of the Department, Facility, and/or Agency. Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: Infection Control Prevention Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Martinsburg VA Medical Center 510 Butler Avenue Martinsburg, WV 25405 US
• Name: Jennifer Darling
• Phone: 423-741-7328
• Email: [email protected]