Wilkes-Barre VAMC is recruiting for a Registered Nurse-Infection Prevention Specialist-Community Living Center. This position is responsible and accountable for the infection control program across all Wilkes-Barre, PA VA Medical Center (WBVAMC)/Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) service and/or discipline lines and serves as an educational resource on infection prevention and control of epidemiology. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: Infection Prevention and Control Experience preferred Acute care experience CIC certification preferred, If not certified must become certified at earliest eligibility, within 3 years of hire. Uses evidence based practice to guide practice Ability to speak in front of a group Ability to analyze and quantify data Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; pushing; reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; use of both hands required; walking 8 hours; standing 8 hours; repeated bending; climbing legs only; both legs required; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other. May be required to work with assaultive or combative patients. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Registered Nurse selected for the Infection Prevention Specialist-Community Living Center is responsible and accountable for the design, implementation, and evaluation of the infection control program across all Wilkes-Barre, PA VA Medical Center (WBVAMC)/Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) service and/or discipline lines and serves as an educational resource on infection prevention and control of epidemiology. This position will be under the Chief of Staff Service and occasional travel will be required. Duties include but not limited to the following:Collaborates with other health professionals to ensure that all personnel use infection control methods to reduce risk of infection to patients, families, and employees. Integrate surveillance findings into the organizations plan of improvement of practice and patient outcomes. Recommends new or revised practices or procedures based on currently accepted evidence-based infection prevention and control strategies. Conducts surveillance and investigations by using epidemiologic principles. Participates in the development of the organizations surveillance plan based on the population(s) served, services provided, and previous surveillance data, of available. Participates in the periodical evaluation of the effectiveness of the Infection Prevention & Control program. Provides expertise regarding infections, communicable diseases, and epidemiological procedures to other clinical staff. Provides consultation to administration, committees, staff, and manages on issues regarding infection prevention and control and epidemiology. Conducts educational classes for employees regarding infection prevention and control and environmental hazards related to infection control. Communicates knowledge and understanding of Joint Commission Standards by correct interpretation to those who need to know. Serves as a Periodic Performance Review (PPR) team leader for the Infection Control (IC) standards across all programs of service. Serves as a liaison to Public Health officials regarding communicable diseases and other epidemiologically significant findings. Meets/exceeds the identified performance measures. Completes special assignments as assigned by the Chief of Staff. Activates the Infection Control Flag in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) when indicated. Performs tuberculin skin testing. Serves as the alternate Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)/Multi-drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) Prevention Coordinator. Participates in the evaluation of construction activities by performing Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) for all construction projects for the Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Serves as the Program Manager for the Infection Prevention and Control Section. Carries out assignments independently as the Program Manager for the Infection Prevention and Control Section, coordinates and assigns the work to others in the section, and keeps the Chief of Staff informed of potential problems as they develop. Schedules/Oversees program coverage and work assignments, reallocating/delegating workload as necessary to ensure proper oversight of programming, as well as efficient and effective operation of the Section. Monitors leave of employees within the section to ensure adequate coverage in coordination with the Chief of Staff. Supports the Chief of Staff who provides direct supervision to this position.\nWork Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday\nCompressed/Flexible: Not available\nTelewor\nVirtual: This is not a virtual posk: Not availableition.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases\nPaid 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)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory"]