Registered Nurse- Infection Prevention

The Registered Nurse Infection Preventionist is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising infection control practices. Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on education, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. 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 Infection Prevention Experience - Two years of Infection Prevention work, including NHSN surveillance, Joint Commission/OIG participation, outbreak investigations, risk assessments, IPC consultation, and use of APIC, CDC, OSHA, and VHA 1131 standards. Leadership Experience - Two years of nurse leader experience in VA or similar systems, supporting Nurse Managers and providers, leading interdisciplinary teams, guiding change management, mentoring staff, improving care processes, and contributing to organizational performance. Epidemiology Experience - Experience applying epidemiologic methods to HAI surveillance, trend analysis, infection-rate calculations, outbreak detection, and risk assessment, with ability to interpret data, evaluate clinical risk, and support evidence-based IPC decisions. MDRO Coordinator Experience - Two years as MDRO Coordinator or backup, including transmission investigations, containment strategies, MDRO policy development, and collaboration with clinical/support services. VISN Collaboration - Experience working with VISN IPC leadership, participating in workgroups, and supporting regional standardization and performance improvement. Program Management - Experience leading system-wide programs or process-improvement efforts requiring interdisciplinary collaboration and data-driven evaluation. APIC Training - Completion of APIC EPI Intensive or equivalent training. 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 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 a 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 a 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 a 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 a 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 Physical Requirements This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting. There may also be extended periods of sitting or standing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols using mechanical lifts that are provided #J-18808-Ljbffr US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair