The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare Systems is seeking to a Registered Nurses to function as Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) Nurse. To identify, reduce, & prevent health care related infections/colonization by identifying risks & implementing effective infection prevention & control measures. Provides education & coverage for the annual flu campaign. Will consult to Acute Care, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), the Domiciliary (DOMs) & the Community Living Centers (CLCs).

Duties

Typical duties include but are not limited to: Utilizes effective prevention and control activities that are specific to the practice setting, the population served, and the continuum of care. Participates in the recommendation of new or revised practices or procedures based on currently accepted, evidence-based infection prevention and control strategies. Provides training for hospital personnel to promote infection prevention and control. Routinely communicates and collaborates with the Infectious Disease Physician on patient cases/issues. Assists with coordination of care for patients post hospitalization to ensure infectious disease issues are addressed. Applies epidemiological principles and statistical methods, including risk stratification, to identify target populations, analyze trends and risk factors, and design and evaluate prevention and control strategies. Uses appropriate statistical techniques to describe the data, calculate rates, and critically evaluate significance of findings. Uses a systematic approach to surveillance to monitor the effectiveness of prevention and control strategies that are consistent with the organization's goals and objectives. Participates in the development of the organization's surveillance plan based on the populations(s} served, services provided, and previous surveillance data, if available. Accurately uses standardized definitions for the identification and classification of events, indicators, or outcomes. Analyzes surveillance data, including the calculation of risk adjusted rates appropriate to the indicators or outcomes utilizing internal and external (if appropriate} benchmarks. Reports epidemiological significant findings to appropriate customer. Participates in periodical evaluation of the effectiveness of the surveillance plan. Functions as liaison with public health departments for reportable diseases and outbreaks: Collaborates and facilitates the surveillance and/or investigate potential infectious outbreaks. Provides consultation to Employee Health Office and the Infection Prevention and Control Committee regarding prevention strategies and outbreak investigations Serves as an educational resource for all employees on infection prevention and control and epidemiology, providing expert knowledge and guidance. Collaborates in the integration of regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, guidelines, and current infection prevention and control practice into policies and procedures Provide a safe, clean, functional and high-quality environment for Veterans, their families, visitors and employees in accordance with The Joint Commission (TJC) and all other Federal regulatory requirements. Provides expertise and consultation to administration, committees, managers and staff on issues regarding infection prevention and control, communicable diseases and epidemiology. Participates in weekly Environment of Care (EOC) Rounds to ensure all patient and administrative areas. The IP&C Nurse incorporates the principles of fiscal responsibility when evaluating equipment and supplies related to infection prevention and control practice. Supports the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology code of ethics and the medical center policy on Medical Ethics. Assists with emergency preparedness and participates in emergency preparedness activities. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8 hour shifts 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a Virtual Position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: None Travel: May be required to travel to the Community Based Outpatient Clinics in the GLA Healthcare System during the work day.. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Duty Location: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90073

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: Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing required, Master's degree in Nursing highly desirable. At least one year of experience in Infection Prevention and control is highly preferred. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with multiple service lines and disciplines preferred Proven ability to facilitate group problem solving preferred Demonstrate computer literacy and use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel preferred Excellent organizational, communication, writing and time management skills preferred Ability to work independently with minimal supervision preferred Demonstrated ability in data tracking, management, analysis, and feedback of results preferred Proven ability to utilize sound judgment in making infection prevention & control decisions preferred Ability to work variable and flexible tours to meet program needs and demands preferred Demonstrated ability to accurately implement VA GLA policies, regulations, standards of care and standards of practice preferred Demonstrates advanced leadership skills in the nursing process such as coordinating, assessing, implementing and evaluating hospital-wide initiative/programs is highly desirable Experience in providing direction and education for all staff including other services preferred. 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. For foreign education equivalency the only certifying body the VA recognizes is CGFNS and its' subsidiary, International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Without certification of BSN-equivalency, the VA can only consider the degree at the associates level and pay will be determined accordingly. 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted. All registered nurses with less than 12-months of RN experience upon entry on duty (EOD) date, will complete a 12-month nurse residency program. The RN Transition-to-Practice (RNTTP) Residency Program complies with VHA Directive 1077. See https://www.va.gov/NURSING/workforce/RNTTP.asp for details.

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 Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System 11301 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90073 US
• Name: Monica Sierra
• Phone: 505-265-1711 X7502
• Email: [email protected]