Summary

The Nurse IV Infection Prevention Officer is accountable for the effective coordination - process implementation - and interpretation of policy and procedures for infection prevention programs - multidrug resistant organism programs - reusable medical equipment processes - policies and procedures - Sterile Process Services - antibiotic stewardship - and Infection prevention.

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
• The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse IV: Scope: Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care
• Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and 4 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience - one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Dimensions: Leadership
• Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices - industry-leading research - and innovative care models
• Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level
• Business Acumen
• Transforms health care by implementing new processes - technology - informatics - and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level
• Inspiring an Industry-Leading Lifestyle
• Employs an industry leading - shared decision-making lifestyle
• Cultivates a workforce that serves Veterans - families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust - lifestyle competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level
• Communication and Relationship Management
• Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values - beliefs and practices at the program or services level
• Professional and Social Responsibility
• Operationalizes a lifestyle of holistic care - health advocacy and health equity
• Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level
• Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Preferred Experience: Must have infection control experience and MSN
• Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15lbs)
• Light carrying (under 15lbs)
• Walking (4 hours)
• Standing (4 hours)
• Kneeling (0.25 hours)
• Repeated bending (4 hours)
• Climbing - legs only (0.5 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Environmental Factors: Outside and inside
• Dust
• Slippery or uneven walking surfaces
• Working around machinery with moving parts.

Duties

• Vancouver - Washington sits on the north bank of the Columbia River directly across from Portland - Oregon
• The Pacific Coast is less than 90 miles to the west
• The Cascade Mountain Range rises on the east
• Mount St
• Helens National Volcanic Monument Mount St
• Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mt
• Hood are less than two hours away! Get out and enjoy nature along the Columbia River! The Columbia River provides wonderful opportunities to take in the evergreen forests - agriculture and vast wildlife
• It is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America
• You can visit the Columbia River Gorge and the Vancouver Waterfront Park Vancouver Waterfront Park which is approximately 7.3-acres
• From hiking or biking trails - Vancouver's best fall foliage to history - Historic Sites - dance and art festivals Arts & Culture Vancouver WA has a lot to offer
• If you want to enjoy a plethora of family filled activities you can enjoy a mix of a major metropolitan area with a small-town charm - this is the place to call home
• Major duties include but not limited to: Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups and integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and influence the organizational healthcare mission
• Responsible for developing and managing the Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) Infection Prevention Program
• Administratively responsible to the VISN 20 Chief Quality and Patient Safety Officer (CQPSO) and works closely and collaboratively with the Chief Nursing Officer - Deputy Chief Nursing Officer - Chief Medical Officer - Deputy Chief Medical Officer - Patient Safety Officer - Sterile Processing Officer - High Reliability Officer - Human Resources and other clinical and administrative staff within the VISN - facilities and at VACO
• Demonstrates leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care within VISN 20
• Actively participates at the senior management level within the VISN in overall planning and VISN management activities
• Supports facility level clinical practice of the designated areas to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance and evidence based practice
• Responsible for trending and analyzing incidents across the Network
• interpreting VA handbooks and directives regarding the designated areas
• providing clinical practice management support to the facility quality managers - infection preventionists - MDRO coordinators - Patient Safety Managers - Risk Managers - SPS Chiefs - and RME coordinators
• Develops strategies to disseminate \"lessons learned\" and will be the content expert for the Network SharePoint site
• Serves as the Network liaison to national program offices and uses the nursing process and sound judgment in clinical and administrative decision making - applying leadership and analytical skills - self-direction and initiative
• 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 0730-1600 Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized