Registered Nurse- Infection Preventionist

The Registered Nurse Infection Preventionist (IP) is responsible for providing competent evidence-based infection control practices. The IP establishes surveillance indicators and conducts monitoring to identify and reduce the risk of acquiring and transmitting infections among patients employees visitors and students. Contributes to the annual Infection Control Risk Assessment determining appropriate resources needed to accomplish the proposed plan communicating any variance to administration and revises plan as needed. The IP provides education on infection control issues as well as annual and ongoing trainings to staff. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals. The IP serves as an education resource for all employees on infection control epidemiology and provides knowledge and guidance. Supports colleagues through knowledge sharing while questioning clinical practices for the purpose of providing evidence based practices to provide safe quality nursing care.

Collaborates with Employee Occupational Health (EOH) and other members of the interdisciplinary team to plan and implement the Immunization Program i.e. influenza. The IP provides reports and alerts to clinicians. The IP has an important role in various programs and systems within the organization i.e. Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and Construction and Water Safety committees. The IP participates in risk assessments for all construction projects and completes random walk-throughs of construction projects to inspect/review practices. The IP implements and maintains a system for analyzing trending and reporting data. The IP assists in developing and maintaining mandatory documents such as standards operating procedures policies outbreak and exposure investigations and external agency-required documents.

The IP provides leadership in ensuring the Infection Control Program complies with all mandated Veteran Health Administration (VHA) The Joint Commission (TJC) Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) applicable State regulations. The IP evaluates reviews and revising facility policies and procedures following national standard changes from Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Centers for Disease Control (CDC) The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) etc. The IP works collaboratively with other clinical and administrative departments and staff including but not limited to Industrial Hygiene Patient Safety Engineering Risk Management and EOH in providing reports consultative advice and other data needed. The IP serves on facility committees to communicate educate and provide consultation.

The IP consults with and assists in the design of the Infection Control Program requirements in all services and departments of the organization. They are accountable to evaluate the quality of effectiveness of these programs in all practice settings. The IP provides for the systematic collection and analysis of infection data using current epidemiological principles. The IP incorporates the principles of fiscal responsibility into practice and initiates and participates in studies education and research activities related to infection control activities.

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: Full Time Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

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 masters level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelors 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.)