The New Mexico VA Health Care System is seeking a Registered Nurse for (Infection Control) in the Quality and Patient Safety Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) program. Located In Albuquerque VA Health Care System. This position is being announced as a Health Science Specialist also. Selection could be made from either.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Infection Preventionist (IP) is a professional registered nurse in Quality and Patient Safety Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) program. The IP, in collaboration with the IP team and the Hospital Epidemiologist, is accountable for multiple facets of the NMVAHCS IPC Program. The IP is responsible for ensuring that the IPC program is developed and implemented in accord with VHA and VAMC policy and guidance. The IP demonstrates initiative and leadership in consulting, evaluating and improving patient care. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Serves as an administrative and clinical expert in IPC, including but not limited to IPC aspects of blood-borne pathogens, multi drug resistant organisms, communicable diseases, water safety and the prevention of Legionella, and other infectious processes. Actively involved in continuously and systematically evaluating the quality and effectiveness of the IPC Program, based on established professional, community, or regulatory standards, such TJC, OIG, APIC and others. Actively participates in committees and projects, as assigned, at the service, facility, VISN or national level. Collaborates with local public health officials to coordinate disease prevention efforts in the community. Integrates relevant public health issues into practice. 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. Ensures surveillance design is consistent with selected internal and external comparative data bases. Utilizes a systematic approach to surveillance to identify and analyze data and monitor effectiveness of prevention and control strategies that are consistent with the organization's goals and objectives. Tracks/monitors lab reports and other data sources to identify trends in infection occurrences. Uses appropriate statistical techniques to describe data, calculate rates and critically evaluate significance of findings. Designs, develops and implements educational plan to NMVAHCS employees across service lines. This will include both orientation at the time of hire and ongoing IPC in services as requested or as need is identified. Performs daily rounds in acute care units to ensure compliance with appropriate placement of patients who require Transmission-Based Precautions in addition to Standard Precautions. Researches and develops/updates IPC related MCPs and SOPs for the NMVAHCS and its catchment areas (i.e., Community Living Center, Ambulatory Care settings, etc.) Identifies and implements the standard operating procedures for response to IPC related events. Demonstrates ability to function in the consultant role, under the direction of the RN Supervisor for IPC, Medical Center Epidemiologist, in Emergency Management planning, exercises and actual events. Obtains, trends, and analyzes data and information, including surveillance for infections utilizing nationally recognized methods and definitions. Intervenes directly to prevent infections and/or develops a collaborative team approach in identifying, analyzing and resolving IPC issues. Uses standard epidemiological principles and practices to observe, investigate, and implement control measures through the organization when an outbreak or cluster of infections is noted. Participates in environment of care rounds with emphasis on IPC related findings and opportunities. Contributes to an assessment of resources needed to accomplish the annual Infection Prevention and Control risk assessment and plan; communicates any resource variance to IPC and administration and modifies program plan in collaboration with teammates when required. Identifies a database-driven process for collecting, inputting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting data from various sources, data banks, and local programs to assure compliance with standards and performance improvement. Efficiently utilizes computer software applications such as Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint. 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 thru Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc. Virtual: Not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), 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 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); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (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 to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12362234. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Preferred Experience: Infection Control 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.

Contacts

• Address Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast Albuquerque, NM 87108 US
• Name: Jeremiah Morales
• Phone: 505-265-1711 X5702
• Email: [email protected]