The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is seeking an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Nurse. The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Nurse is a professional nurse with expertise in infection prevention and control and a strong educational component and training in microbiology beyond standard nursing training in this area. Open Continuous Announcement - Will remain open until filled, close date may change at any time based on hiring need.

Duties

The VA has been named as one of the Top 5 Best Places to Work in the federal government. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases 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 Registered Nurse - Infection Prevention and Control (IPC): Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Nurse - is a member of the Infection Prevention and Control Program within the Infectious Diseases Section of Medical Service at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. Incumbent will work with the Infection Control Nurse (Lead for the Infection Prevention and Control Program), Infection Prevention and Control RN, Multi-drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) Prevention Coordinator, the Infection Prevention and Control Program Support Assistant, as well as the Hospital Epidemiologist and the Section Chief of Infectious Diseases to move forward the tenets and goals of the Infection Prevention and Control Program, the Annual Infection Prevention and Control Plan and good principles of infection prevention and control throughout the institution. The IPC Program is a high-profile program with interaction within all settings of the Medical Center (Acute Care, Community Living Center, Mental/Behavioral Health, Outpatient/Ambulatory/Home Care Programs, etc.), and is a program with institutional oversight for various accreditation, regulatory, agency, and local public health liaison activities. The IPC Nurse is a professional nurse with expertise in the field of infection prevention and control and a strong educational component and training in microbiology beyond standard nursing training in this area (prior experience as a microbiology technologist, research training in microbiology, educational course work of the equivalence of a minor or major emphasis during post-high school education). The nurse utilizes effective prevention and control activities that are specific to the practice setting, the population served and the continuum of care. The nurse will provide facility-wide quality improvement by performing surveillances and utilizing data to advocate for advancing the standard of care. She/he will provide guidance on reducing the transmission of infectious diseases in acute care, long-term care and outpatient care settings. SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: The IPC nurse will take assignments and direction from the lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse, while working collaboratively with all levels of healthcare professionals. The major duties and responsibilities of performance-infection prevention and control program implementation, infection prevention and control planning, surveillance, customer service and education. IPC nurse demonstrates leadership characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and learning in the coordination, development, implementation, and evaluation of learning opportunities and/or integrated educational programs for staff, affiliates, patients, and families in a diverse, rapidly changing, complex health care environment. The IPC nurse will strengthen educational initiatives for Performance Improvement, Patient/Family Education, Staff and Affiliate competency verification, in-service, continuing education, career development, regulatory mandates, policies, procedures and internal/external consulting and for launching integrated educational programs that support the organization's performance objectives, infection control rounds, construction and environment of care rounds, participation in surveys for services of the Cincinnati VAMC. The IPC nurse will provide expertise in infection prevention and control (IPC) and epidemiology, knowledge and guidance; incumbent will participate in development and revisions of policies and procedures, investigation of suspected outbreaks and exposures to infectious agents, collaboration with public health agencies and interdisciplinary team members in providing specialized care to patients and includes cross coverage for the other Infection Prevention and Control Program professionals. The IPC nurse incorporates the principles of fiscal responsibility into practice, initiates and participates in research activities, serves on various Cincinnati VAMC committees, and promotes the standards of advanced nursing practice. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Travel: Not Required 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

Preferred Experience / Qualifications: BSN preferred 3 years clinical nursing experience with increasingly complex practice demonstrating the ability to analyze, implement, and support health care systems 2-3 years experience in hospital Infection Prevention and Control, strongly preferred Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) preferred Excellent oral and written communication skills Demonstrated ability to provide education to individuals and groups Experience with computer applications; proficient with the use of software including word processing, spread sheets, presentation, communications, and relevant applications. Ability to handle multiple tasks to completion Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and systems thinking skills 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: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) English Language Proficiency: RNs appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Graduation from School of Nursing: Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant. The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), an accrediting arm of the National League for Nursing located at 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, New York 10006 or call (800) 669-1656 extension 153. The NLNAC accredits all levels of nursing programs. Additional information may be obtained from the NLNAC web site; or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), an accrediting arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The CCNE accredits bachelors and masters degree programs, and is located at One Dupont Circle N.W., Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036 or call (202) 463-6930. Additional information may be obtained from the CCNE web site. 4. License: Condition of Employment. A registered nurse (RN) will have a current, full, active and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the U.S. or in the District of Columbia. The appointing official may waive this registration if the RN is to serve in a country other than the U.S. and the RN has registration in that country (e.g., Philippines). The RN must maintain a current, full, active and unrestricted registration to continue employment with VA. Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists. On and after [March 17, 2009], registered nurses appointed or otherwise moving into these assignments must meet and maintain the following additional qualifications. This includes employees appointed before [March 17, 2009], who obtain such qualifications on or after [March 17, 2009.] Nurse Practitioners. A nurse practitioner must be licensed or otherwise recognized as a nurse practitioner in a State, possess a master's degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC or CCNE, and maintain full and current certification as a nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Association or another nationally recognized certifying body. (The certification must be in the specialty to which the individual is being appointed or selected.) 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 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. Physical Demands: Per VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - a physical examination will be conducted based on the physical requirements of the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continues walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. 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, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. BLS/ACLS Requirements: Current certification in BLS is required for all staff providing direct patient care, and police. Additionally, current ACLS is required for patient care staff that work in specified or high-risk areas (SICU/ICU/CCU/MICU/PACU/ED/and all procedure suites using moderate sedation, etc.). If you are selected for a position which requires BLS/ACLS certification, you will be required to have proof of certification prior to being boarded for appointment with VA. If selected, obtain such certification to avoid any delays in the hiring process. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard.VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3These references can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Education

MPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR EDUCATION:

1. Click on the following links to verify you are a 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:
   • The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or
   • The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
2. If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
3. If your school was accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the ACEN website or the CCNE website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.
4. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

We will not make assumptions regarding your education. Please provide proof that you meet the education requirement.

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 Cincinnati VA Medical Center 3200 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220 US
• Name: Amber Clark
• Email: [email protected]