The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) RN is responsible and accountable to identify and reduce cross transmission of infection by identifying risks and implementing effective control measures based on current infection control standards of practice. Conducts active Multi Drug Resistant Organism (MDRO) and passive surveillance and serves as liaison for the day to day operations of the infection Initiative.

Duties

Provides expertise in the various fields of the infection control realm such as: Conducts both active and passive surveillance, utilizing laboratory values and reported symptomology and consult with infectious disease in developing the plan of care for assuring that appropriate care, isolation, and infection control techniques are implemented Management and coordination of outbreaks and exposure Make daily rounds to units for the purpose of case findings, review of environmental sanitation procedures, and supervision of isolation and hand hygiene precautions/practices. Coordinates, plans, implements and evaluates IPC Program management and communication Perform administrative duties such as completing infection forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, maintaining monthly, quarterly and annual dashboards, etc. Education of staff and performance improvement related to infection presentation and control. Maintenance of an annual risk assessment and infection control plan, based on rigorous assessment of the Detroit VA's current infection risks, trending micro-organisms, and identified gaps Maintain clinical competencies and certifications through continuous study, in-services and participation in obtaining continuing education units. Reports to the manager of Quality and Performance. Informs the manager of Quality Management about potentially controversial findings, issues or problems with widespread or organizational impact. Delegated the authority to plan, schedule, and carry out major projects concerned with the analysis and evaluation of IPC/MDRO programs or related organizational effectiveness. Responds to Leadership's requests and completes special projects and assignments for IPC. Prioritizes and completes numerous IPC activities and attends Leadership Committees and other (Quality Leadership Committee, Patient Safety, Environment of Care, CPRC, Committee's as assigned) Committees on an ongoing basis. Develops project objectives through minimal supervisory oversight. Presents scope of problem/topic, detailed action plan for improvement or design, targeted completion dates, and any resource needs for initial authorization or proceed. Provides expertise in the various fields of the infection control realm such as: 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 - 4:00pm Telework: May be available as needed Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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 5 years experience of clinical practice 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: The incumbent is required to meet the physical standards as outlined on the OF 178 Certificate of Medical Examination. The 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 Veterans and objects may be required. Staff may be required to don protective equipment in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. They may also be exposed to Veterans who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Active involvement in device or architecture design testing may mean longer periods of standing. The work also involves coping with complex, persistent demands from a variety of sources that can be regarded as a high-pressure work situation. The duties are performed primarily in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office, classroom, conference room, or hospital clinic/unit setting. Occasional travel may be required. Functional Requirements: The incumbent has use of fingers, both hands required, walking 2 hours, standing 1 hour Environmental Factors: The incumbent can work closely with others or working alone. Valid driver's license is required

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript, either official or unofficial, must be submitted with your application for ALL degrees. A copy of your certificate/degree or screenshot of your current classes are not a replacement of your transcript and they will not be used in the qualifying process. Transcripts must include the following information.

• Your name
• Name of the college or university
• Full address of the college or university
• Degree received
• Date Conferred

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 John D Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4646 John R Street Detroit, MI 48201 US
• Name: Jeannette Mason
• Phone: 313-942-5482
• Email: [email protected]