The Infection Prevention Manager is a Registered Nurse who is responsible for clinical and administrative operations as well as a leader and consultant throughout the medical center and health care system on epidemiology and infection prevention/control issues. Oversees infection prevention practices on every acute care unit and Community Living Center (CLC) Unit as well as in the outpatient clinics and Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOC's).
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. Preferred Experience: Masters Degree in Nursing (MSN) 3-5 years of recent nursing experience Management experience Infection Prevention/Infection Control experience 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/12743409. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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 examination.
The Infection Prevention Manager works in close collaboration with all Section Chiefs, unit/clinic managers and other members of the health care team to aid in the development of care coordination, and timely high-quality care. The NM possesses the knowledge and skills to effectively apply all aspects of the nursing process, and care management principles within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting. Major Duties include but are not limited to: Planning work to be accomplished by subordinates, setting priorities, and preparing schedules for completion of work. Evaluating the performance of subordinates. Making recommendations for appointments, advancements, or reassignments of subordinates. Giving advice, counsel, or instruction to subordinate personnel on work and administrative matters. Implements staff retention strategies such as awards and recognition, advocating for supply and equipment needs, team building, responding to suggestions and feedback, and publicly demonstrating support for staff. Develop and implement long and short-range strategic goals in conjunction with ICC leadership, forecast future needs and identify areas for further development and/or improvement of services; Identify trends and make recommendations regarding processes, policies, workflow, accessibility, quality/continuous improvement. Oversees and assures collection, analysis, and reporting of infection and surveillance data (including MDRO acquisitions/infections, CDI, SSI, VAE, CAUTI, CLABSI and communicable diseases). Participate in multiple facility-wide committees providing expertise in infection prevention and control. Evaluation of products and procedures (including reusable medical equipment reprocessing procedures, hand hygiene compliance and infection prevention bundles). Consultation on infection risk assessment, prevention, and control strategies (includes activities related to construction, disaster planning and outbreak investigations). Follow-up on exposures to communicable diseases. Implementation of changes mandated by regulatory, accrediting, and licensing agencies. Application of epidemiological principles, including activities directed at improving patient outcomes. Manages staff performance through functional statements/ position descriptions/performance appraisals and competency expectations. Ensures completion of standardized orientation program for all assigned staff. Keeps a standardized competency/education folder for all staff. Utilizes the Donna Wright Competency model to develop a minimum number of unit specific competencies per year. Ensures staff are compliant with TMS and BLS/ACLS. Follows the proficiency process and timelines, within the ePerformance platform. Starts a performance plan annually and within 30 days of employee start date for new employees, completes all mid-year reviews and turns into HR according to PC&SM PSL timeline. Manages Unit Time and Leave, is proficient with VATAS, approves time and leave according to facility policies and demonstrates good organizational stewardship when approving OT, UT and CT. 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, Days Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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.