The Registered Nurse Multi-Drug Resistant Organism (MDRO) Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and managing aspects of the MDRO Prevention initiative. This position is located with the Quality and Patient Safety Service Line and reports to the Quality, Safety, and Value Director. This position can be located in Fort Meade or Hot Springs, SD.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Registered Nurse Multi-Drug Resistant Organism (MDRO) Coordinator duties include, but are not limited to: Accountable for accurate and complete data collection, entry, and reports to the VISN. Utilize various software programs including but not limited to CPRS, VISTA, IPEC, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word. Interpret laboratory values and analyze findings of diagnostic tests Serve as a back-up for the Infection Control Coordinator Implementation and compliance with the components of the MRSA/MDRO Prevention Initiative Collaborating with Leadership on local implementation issues. Collecting and reporting data related to the MRSA/MDRO Prevention Initiative. Develops and evaluates policies and procedures related to the MRSA/MDRO Prevention Initiative. Engaging and educating front-line healthcare workers about MRSA/MDRO and the MDRO Prevention Initiative. Applies a working knowledge of the principles and practices of epidemiology, infectious diseases and patient-care practices in order to identify, develop, implement, and evaluate an MRSA/MDRO prevention plan and participate in the infection control program in the medical center. Tracks, provides progress reports and achieves a decrease in the rate of MDRO transmission within the medical center, improved infection control data collection, analysis, and processes, and improved patient care throughout the medical center at the program, service, and/or clinic level. Determines compliance with, develops, revises and evaluates all policies and Page 4 of 5 procedures with infection control implications with specific emphasis to MDRO transmission and environmental sanitation. Identifies and monitors persons who are at risk for acquiring infections including age related factors. Conducts rounds with all appropriate staff to assess the environment and provide input into infection control related issues specific to MDRO. Collects, analyzes, and tracks pertinent infections data specific to MDRO infections/colonization's and presents findings to workgroups, committees, and external agencies. Prepares and/or assists in the assembly of monthly, quarterly, and annual Infection Control reports reviews reports making recommendations for improvement as indicated. Acts as a resource for the patient/employee/visitor for infection prevention/control related issues specific to MDRO. Ensures the practices of healthcare employees, visitors, volunteers, and students are consistent with internal and external MDRO infection prevention standards through data collection, interpretation, reporting of findings with an appropriate action plan, implementation of plan with appropriate collaborations, and evaluation. Must obtain CDC Infection Control certification within 6 months of employment 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 - Friday7:30 a.m. - 4:00p.m. Telework: Ad-hoc available as determined by the agency policy. Could occur on an occasional, non-routine basis. This is not a 100% telework position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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: Infection control experience 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 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. The population of male and female patients served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. VA Black Hills Health Care System is a health care facility, providing acute medical, surgical, behavioral health, physical medicine and rehabilitation, geriatric, and primary care services predominately to veterans, but in special cases, includes active duty military and civilian populations. This position requires visual acuity (Correctable to 20/40), hearing clear distinctive speech (correctable to 20db), and manual dexterity to perform prescribed procedures/computer usage. This position requires potentially long periods of continued 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 wear protective clothing in isolation situations or during patient 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, and is able to shift priorities based on patient needs. This position requires heavy lifting (45 lbs and over), Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs), pushing 2 hours, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both arms/hands required or the equivalent required, walking 8 hours, standing 8 hours, repeated bending (7 hours), both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted) and mental/emotional stability. Environmental factors include: Slipper or uneven walking surfaces, working with hands in water, working closely with others, working alone and protracted or irregular hours of work.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA Black Hills Health Care System 113 Comanche Road Fort Meade, SD 57741 US
• Name: Tanya Augdahl
• Phone: 701-239-3700 X3649
• Email: [email protected]