The Nurse Infection Prevention Officer (IPO) is assigned under the Office of the Quality Management Officer. The nurse collaborates with interdisciplinary team members, including other program and service leaders at the facility, network and national levels. They work closely with a wide variety of administrative and clinical staff at each site. The nurse provides oversight of 8 facilities and over 40 Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and other outreach clinics.

Duties

Vancouver, Washington sits on the north bank of the Columbia River directly across from Portland, Oregon. The Pacific Coast is less than 90 miles to the west. The Cascade Mountain Range rises on the east. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mt. Hood are less than two hours away! Get out and enjoy nature along the Columbia River! The Columbia River provides wonderful opportunities to take in the evergreen forests, agriculture and vast wildlife. It is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. You can visit the Columbia River Gorge and the Vancouver Waterfront Park Vancouver Waterfront Park which is approximately 7.3-acres. From hiking or biking trails, Vancouver's best fall foliageto history, Historic Sites, dance and art festivals Arts & Culture Vancouver WA has a lot to offer. If you want to enjoy a plethora of family filled activities you can enjoy a mix of a major metropolitan area with a small-town charm, this is the place to call home. 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 The Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 20 Nurse IPO is administratively responsible to the VISN 20 Quality Management Officer (QMO) and works closely and collaboratively with the VISN Executive Leadership Team and others including the Patient Safety Officer, Sterile Processing Officer, Human Resources and other clinical and administrative staff within the VISN at facilities and at VA Central Office. The nurse demonstrates leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care within VISN 20. They actively participate at the senior management level within the VISN in overall planning and VISN management activities. The Nurse IPO is accountable for the effective coordination, process implementation, and interpretation of policy and procedures for infection prevention programs, multidrug resistant organism programs (MORO), policies and procedures, hand hygiene, performance data for associated infection prevention outcome metrics including Inpatient Evaluation Center (IPEC) and other key performance indicators and data elements. Additional Duties (but not limited to): Serves as the Network liaison to national program offices and uses the nursing process and sound judgment in clinical and administrative decision making, applying leadership and analytical skills, self-direction and initiative. Functions as a resource person and consultant for infection prevention and related activities. Responsible and accountable for the provision of information, education, training, and technical support for employees related to the infection prevention and quality control programs. Collaboratively interacts with a variety of facility, network, and national programs related to the function of infection prevention and control. Strong interactive and collegial interactions are essential to successful IPO initiatives. Works in collaboration with all disciplines and services affected by IPO activities. Manages network infection risk using established policies and guidelines and influences care outcomes by collaborating with other nurses of interdisciplinary teams. Responsible for serving as the Chair of the associated committees as appropriate, and serves on additional committees and councils as required. Work Schedule: 7:30am to 4:00pm (PST) Telework: Authorized Virtual/Remote: This is not a virtual or remote position.

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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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: Minimum of 2 (two) years infection prevention experience Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse IV - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 3-4 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: Use of fingers; Both hands required; Specific visual requirement (see computer screen); Hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental Factors: Outside and inside; Silica, Asbestos, etc.; Working closely with others; Working alone.

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 VISN 20 Northwest Network 1601 East 4th Plain Boulevard Vancouver, WA 98661 US
• Name: Mary Smith
• Phone: 202-745-8000 X55169
• Email: [email protected]