Job opening: Registered Nurse, Infection Control
Salary: $98 514 - 185 540 per year
Published at: Dec 12 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
Duties
Major duties include, but may not be limited to:
- Primary duty to perform Inpatient / outpatient Unit Rounding to assure staff adherence to CDC/VHA & OSHA safety Guidelines.
- Performs surveillance for hospital associated-infections (HAI) using CDC NHSN Guidelines.
- Use surveillance data to collaborate to implement health system-wide quality improvement interventions to prevent HAIs.
- Assist in coordinating Pandemic Preparedness at VA NCHCS including f High Consequence Infections (HCI).
- Public Health Reporting of communicable diseases and conditions under Title 17
- Serves as a high-functioning member of the Infection Control and Prevention Team and applies collaborative, teamwork approach to daily operations. - Collaborates with IC Team Chief, Supervisor of Infection Control, and IP Team members to apply epidemiologic principles for controlling outbreaks/contact investigations by coordinating with Housekeeping, BDMS, Nursing, Occupational Health, and Public Health to reduce transmission of contagious diseases and treat those who may be exposed.
- Applies evidence-based practices, published guidelines, recommendations and regulatory body requirements (e.g. National Patient safety Goals, TJC, LTCI, CDC NHSN, APIC, AORN, AAMI, OIG, AWE, etc.) in the evaluation of VA NCHCS practices, procedures and products.
- Perform oversight areas including Housekeeping, Sterile Processing, Engineering, Nursing and work collaboratively to assure the environment of care and reusable medical equipment meet and exceed quality standards.
- Serve as a consultant in meetings in which infection prevention expertise is required (ex. Attendance at Project meetings to assure adherence to infection prevention practices during construction)
- Conduct and implement new safety devices/product trials to reduce blood borne pathogen exposures among staff and reduce risk of HAI's in patients. - Work in coordination with other Infection Prevention staff and responsible to the Infection Prevention Supervisor.
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 to Friday, 0800-1630
Telework: Ad-HOC
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact
[email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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.
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:
Includes, but not limited to: WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Involves considerable amount of standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. Requires occasional travel throughout Northern California Healthcare System which spans Sacramento to East Bay to Redding and destinations in between. Requires carrying or lifting of objects weighing up to 50 lbs., but occasionally may require work that involves pushing or lifting in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care. The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally ill clients. Requires use of hands for actions such as typing, simple grasping, fine manipulation, and repetitive actions. Requires the ability to frequently respond to multiple demands and priorities. Has potential for exposure to infectious diseases, hazardous waste and chemicals. Ability to distinguish shades of colors. Ability to effectively utilize a stethoscope and distinguish breath and heart, and bowel sounds; Emotional and mental stability - ability to effectively perform the essential functions of the position and respond appropriately in emergency situations.
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 VA Northern California Health Care System
10535 Hospital Way
Mather, CA 95655
US
- Name: Nina Nguyen
- Phone: 916-843-6932
- Email: [email protected]
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