Summary

The Infection Control Nurse Manager (ICNM) serves as the clinical and administrative leader for the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Program - providing comprehensive direction - oversight - and expert consultation throughout the medical center and its affiliated sites. In this capacity - the ICNM directs a complex - facility-wide program that encompasses surveillance - infection prevention strategies - regulatory readiness - education - program management - and interdisciplinary collaboration.

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.) 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
• Salary for this position ranges dependent upon applicant qualifications.Preferred Experience and Education: MSN degree highly preferred
• Previous experience as an Infection Prevention and Control Nurse
• 3 years of experience in management project improvement and quality experience
• 3 years RN experience in an inpatient hospital setting
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• The position requires potentially - long periods of combined walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable or working effectively in stressful situation - able to shift priorities based on needs of the organization
• The incumbent may be required to travel occasionally
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments
• Telework is position dependent and appropriate approvals are required
• telework is not guaranteed and incumbent must comply with all regulations relevant to telework agreements - policies - and processes
• If a position requires driving - incumbent is required to maintain compliance with all relevant policies and processes

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Direct supervision - oversight - and evaluation of Infection Preventionists and related staff assigned to the IPC Program
• Ensures that all infection control activities comply with VHA Directive 1131 - The Joint Commission standards - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines - OSHA requirements - OIG expectations - applicable state regulations - and all other relevant bodies governing healthcare safety
• Primary authority on infection prevention practices - overseeing the development - implementation - and sustainment of systems designed to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) - mitigate risks - and promote high reliability within every patient care setting Responsible for the overall direction - daily operations - and strategic evolution of the Infection Prevention & Control Program Manages personnel - coordinates surveillance systems - guides staff education - facilitates regulatory compliance - and oversees the creation and maintenance of IPC policies - risk assessments - and operational plans
• 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: 7:30am-4:00pm or as determined by your supervisor
• Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS):Not Authorized