Nurse (Infection Preventionist Program Manager)

Summary

The Infection Prevention Program Manager Registered Nurse leads the Infection Prevention & Control Program for VA Portland Health Care System - ensuring regulatory compliance - directing system-wide prevention activities - and providing expert guidance to leadership and clinical teams. The role coordinates surveillance - mitigates infection risks - and supports evidence-based practices to promote safe - high-quality care across all care settings.

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.) Preferred Experience Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred
• Previous managerial experience
• Four (4) or more years of experience as an Infection Preventionist
• Four (4) or more years of direct nursing care experience
• Proficiency in use of Excel and Powerpoint
• infection prevention surveillance software
• and medical record review
• 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/12978092
• Grade/Level Scope Education 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• The Infection Prevention Program Manager Registered Nurse serves as the clinical and administrative leader responsible for the implementation of the Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Program
• The incumbent partners with the Hospital Epidemiologist(s) to develop program goals - implement surveillance systems - mitigate risks - and promote safe - high-quality care for Veterans across inpatient - outpatient - long-term care - and specialty settings
• Duties include - but not limited to: Program Leadership & Management Leads and manages the IPC Program across all VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) sites - including inpatient - outpatient - long-term care - residential - and community-based clinics
• Partners with the Hospital Epidemiologists to direct IPC program planning - implementation - evaluation - and continuous improvement efforts
• Regulatory Compliance & Policy Development Coordinates and participates in IPC Program policy and procedure development and review including the infection control manual - other mandatory documents - and outbreak reports
• Ensures full compliance with VHA - The Joint Commission - OSHA - OIG - and applicable state regulations and adherence to national standards such as APIC - CDC - SHEA - and IDSA
• Surveillance - Analysis & Reporting Coordinates and conducts surveillance - analysis - and reporting of infection-related outcomes
• Identifies trends - conducts risk assessments - and provides data-driven recommendations to leadership and frontline services
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Consultation Promote alliances across the care continuum - building trust through active listening - engagement - and emotional intelligence
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders including but not limited to Employee Health - Industrial Hygiene - Patient Safety - Engineering - and Risk Management to provide consultation - reports - and programmatic support
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with regional (VISN) and national (VACO) VA counterparts
• local academic (OHSU) and community IP programs
• as well as local and state public health
• Emergency Preparedness & Specialty Expertise Coordinates and provides IP expert consultation for emergency planning - including high-consequence infection and pandemic preparedness
• Education - Training & Professional Development Seeks knowledge from professional organizations to enhance personal leadership and career growth
• Mentors and supports the professional growth of IPC Program team members and nursing students and staff
• Leads educational initiatives and contributes to professional development activities that advance IPC knowledge across the organization
• Evidence-Based Practice - Research & Quality Improvement Leads evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives to improve infection-related outcomes and disseminates findings to stakeholders
• Supports and/or initiates IPC-related research
• Leadership - Professionalism - and Clinical Accountability Demonstrates advanced clinical judgment with the ultimate goal to improve Veteran experience - safety - and quality of care
• 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-Friday - 8 hours shifts between 0700-1700
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.