Summary

The Infection Control (ICNM) Nurse Manager is a registered nurse responsible for the assessment - planning - provision - and evaluation of the Infection Prevention and Control program - including oversight and management of the Multi-Drug Resistant Organism Program. The ICNM provides leadership to the IC team. The ICNM is the co-chair of the IC Committee sharing responsibility with the Infectious Disease Physician co-chair for administration of activities and decisions of the IC Committee.

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
• 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/12989196
• 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
• Preferred Experience: At least 1-2 years as an Infection Prevention or MDRO RN in a hospital setting
• At least 2-3 years of management experience supervising nurses
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Walking - bending - stooping - and some lifting in the direct care of patients
• There may also be extended periods of sitting.

Duties

• Duties: Provide - direct and supervise the delivery of quality nursing care to a veteran population
• Affectively implement activities towards health promotion and prevention - management of acute and chronic illness states - assisting the veterans in attainment of optimal levels of functioning through rehabilitation and provision of supportive measures for the dying patient and their significant others
• Directing and organizing the unit-specific orientation - training - and development of Infection Control staff and for directing - supervising - and evaluating their performance
• Clinical and administrative supervision
• General instruction - assigning - overseeing - and evaluating work product - and approving leave for the Infection Control Section - including the Infection Control Practitioners - MDRO Coordinator - and infection control administrative support personnel
• Designated first-line supervisory authority - responsibility - and accountability for the Infection Prevention and Control Program including the MDRO Program - ensuring that subordinate personnel provide timely review which complies with generally accepted standards of practice
• Develops and implements an organizational vision that integrates key organizational and program goals - priorities - values - and other factors
• Assesses and adjusts to changing situations - implementing innovative solutions to make organizational improvements - ranging from incremental improvements to major shifts in direction or approach - as appropriate
• Balances change and continuity
• continually strives to improve service and program performance
• creates a work environment that encourages creative thinking - collaboration - and transparency
• and maintains program focus - even under adversity
• Designs and implements strategies that maximize employee potential - connects the organization horizontally and vertically - and fosters high ethical standards in meeting the organization's vision - mission - and goals
• Provides a workplace that fosters the development of others to their full potential
• allows for full participation by all employees
• facilitates collaboration - cooperation - and teamwork - and supports constructive resolution of conflicts
• Ensure employee performance plans are aligned with the organization's mission and goals - that employees receive constructive feedback - and that employees are realistically appraised against clearly defined and communicated performance standards
• Holds employees accountable for appropriate levels of performance and conduct
• Seeks and considers employee input
• Recruits - retains - and develops the talent needed to achieve a high-quality workforce that reflects the nation - with the skills needed to accomplish organizational performance objectives
• Executes the operating budget
• prepares budget requests with justifications
• and manages resources - submits equipment/furniture turn-in
• Maintains inventory and records management as per unit /service requirement
• Conduct quarterly attendance review and meet with employees
• Explains - advocates - and expresses facts and ideas in a convincing manner and negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally as appropriate
• Develop a professional network with other organizations and identifies the internal and external politics that affect work of the organization
• 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