Supervisory Infection Control Registered Nurse (GS-12)

Overview

Madigan Army Medical Center is seeking a Supervisory Infection Control Registered Nurse (GS-12) to join our growing team!


This is a Direct Hire Solicitation

• A Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized.
• Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.
• Non-Federal work experience may be creditable for leave purposes.

At Madigan you will practice alongside civilian and military health care experts and experience unique professional opportunties. Our staff serves by caring for our military but are not subject to military requirements. We operate within safe staffing standards - giving you time to provide exceptional care.


Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest on the Puget Sound, in Washington State, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is near the city of Lakewood, 10 minutes from Tacoma and 20 minutes from Olympia, the state capitol. JBLM is situated in a key location along Interstate 5, allowing easy access to Seattle, Tacoma, and the welcoming neighboring communities. Although the Army and Air Force missions have changed over the years, one thing has not changed-the natural setting of the base. Majestic Mount Rainier looms on the horizon, towering over the other peaks of the Cascade Range. From the mountains to the deep waters of Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean, the local areas abound in natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. Camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, boating and new sports are a way of life in Washington State.

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link:

Responsibilities

POSITION DUTIES:
Serves as a Nurse (ADMIN/INF CONTROL) in the Quality Services Division (QSD) of Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA.


MAJOR DUTIES:
1. Responsible for sole technical and authoritative responsibility for the planning, designing and performance of the functions of the MAMC Infection Control Program. This includes responsibility for meeting the Joint Commission (TJC) requirements in this area, adherence to authorized guidelines and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and adherence to any local, state and federal regulations. Serves on some or all of the following committees: Infection Control Committee, Quality Management Group's Product Evaluation and Standards, Hospital Safety. Plans and provides educational programs, training, consultation and research regarding the complex issues surrounding the safe provision of health care for patients with blood borne pathogens and multipleinfectious diseases including AIDS and HIV infection. Plans and supervises expenditures for the Infection Control budget and recommends major expenditures to the command. Directs the development, writing, evaluating, modifying, improving, and implementing of hospital-wide Infection Control objectives, policies, instructions, and procedures in the Hospital Infection Control Policy & Procedure Guide. Monitors compliance and maintains Standard Precautions, and standards for sterilization, disinfection, and sanitation. Serves as technical and authoritative consultant for infection control issues to executive leaders within MAMC and Regional Health Command Pacific (P).


2. Responsible for supervising and conducting the tasks related to surveillance for hospital acquired infections (HAI) infections including authoritative recommendations for the management and follow-up of HAI epidemics and outbreaks for inpatients and outpatients. Responsible for conducting/supervising epidemiological investigations and devising appropriate control measures to eliminate an outbreak or epidemic. Identifies the presence of bacterial or other pathogens related to the threat of HAI outbreak potential, and recommends appropriate isolation procedures. Reviews appropriate microbiologic and pathologic, environmental, admission diagnosis, and other relevant data. Contributes toTJC accreditation of the program by formulating, revising, evaluating, and improving the hospital's Infection Control policies and procedures. Conducts risk assessments, incorporating local and regional geographical/population risks, as well as assessments for specific areas or situations.

3. Responsible for all Infection Control reports and data presented to the Infection Control Committee. Ensures accuracy of same and data provided to outside agencies including the CDC and the National Healthcare Safety Network. Provides professional,
technical, and authoritative consultation support to MAMC staff regarding clinical research projects in the field of hospital epidemiology. Assists MAMC researchers with study design, data collection, management, and analysis pertinent to the conduct of epidemiological studies. Participates in monitoring of occupational illnesses within the MTF, in collaboration of the Occupational Health and Preventive Medicine. Designs new techniques to be used in evaluating the efficacy of education, prevention, surveillance, and other Infection Control programs, and advises the Chairman, Infection Control Committee accordingly through the use of program review, observation and user feedback.


4. Independently develops new techniques to detect the occurrence of HAI, to benefit both MAMC and Regional Health Command Pacific (P) and the academic infection control community. Independently implements developed techniques, both to track the occurrence as well as to predict the occurrence of nosocomial infections. Advises hospital contract services in reference to contractual agreements in the area of infection control policies. Recommends or evaluates new products and advises to their desirability and efficacy. Collaborates with representatives of community health agencies and other civilian and federal facilities to provide a coordinated service to detect, prevent, and control infections.


5. Attends professional conferences and seminars, and prepares and gives oral and written reports of activities, findings and recommendations to the Chairman, Infection Control Committee, Medical Staff Executive Committee, QMG's, and individuals as appropriate. Serves as a member or chairman for the Army Infection Control Working Group at APIC conference annually (involving exchange of information between APIC professionals from military and civilian hospitals, a leader in the proposed Tri-service working group. Instructs and advises nursing services and other departments in the development of patient care plans and educational programs relevant to infection prevention and control.


6. Supervises Infection Control and Prevention assigned staff, including infection control and prevention registered nurse(s) and technicians. Plans, schedules, and organizes the work on a daily basis to ensure prioritization is appropriate for mission accomplishment and prepares schedules for completion of work. Assigns work based on scope of practice, priorities, and competencies of subordinates. Explains work requirements, methods and procedures; provides consultation and serves as subject matter expert for assigned infection control staff, establishes performance standards for subordinates, and evaluates work performance of employees. Keeps subordinates informed of management goals and objectives. Provides advice, counsels, and instructs employees on both work and administrative matters. Interviews candidates for positions and makes recommendations on selection. Hears and resolves complaints from employees, referring more serious complaints to a higher level supervisor. Effects minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases. Identifies the training needs of employees and arranges for needed development and training. Explores methods to improve productivity and increase quality of the work directed.


Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

US Citizenship required

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Supervisory Nurse:
Degree: A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.).

Licensure: A current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States; and you must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination.

Foreign Degree: A degree from a Foreign Nursing School. Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.

Exemption: You are exempt from the basic requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0610 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017 or before. Applicants claiming this exemption must meet the requirement below. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.

Degree or diploma from a professional nursing program approved by the legally designated State accrediting agency at the time the program was completed by the applicant.

Active, current registration as a professional nurse in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
Professional Nursing Experience: One or more full years of professional nursing experience in an infection control environment . This definition of professional nursing experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11 or above).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone-no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Graduates of foreign nursing schools must have completed the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools Certification Program. The certification program consists of a credentials evaluation, the CGFNS Qualifying Exam, and evidence of passing one of the approved English Language Proficiency examinations. A copy of the CGFNS Certificate is required. For further information, visit: