Nurse (Infection Preventionist Program Manager)

Full Job Description

The Infection Prevention Program Manager Registered Nurse leads the Infection Prevention & Control Program for VA Portland Health Care System, ensuring regulatory compliance, directing system-wide prevention activities, and providing expert guidance to leadership and clinical teams.

The role coordinates surveillance, mitigates infection risks, and supports evidence-based practices to promote safe, high-quality care across all care settings.

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.) Preferred Experience Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred.

Previous managerial experience. Four (4) or more years of experience as an Infection Preventionist. Four (4) or more years of direct nursing care experience.

Proficiency in use of Excel and Powerpoint; infection prevention surveillance software; and medical record review.

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/12930472.

Grade/Level Scope Education 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs); Moderate carrying (15-44 lbs); Straight pulling (1 hr); Pushing (1-2 hrs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (3 hrs); Standing (4-6 hrs); Kneeling (1 hr); Repeated bending (2 hrs); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental and emotional stability.

Environmental Factors: Working closely with others; Working alone. Major Duties:

Portland is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon.

Situated in the northwestern area of the state at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers.

Portland is known for having the amenities of a major city (such as an international airport, an efficient public transit system, major league sports teams and many museums and art galleries) and the charms of a small city (such as plentiful arts and crafts fairs, independent bookstores and local traditions like the annual Rose Festival Parade).

Rain or shine, you can take advantage of the city's proximity to nature by playing in the Willamette River, wandering through lush public parks and gardens, biking the city's 162 miles (261 km) of bike lanes and hiking trails both within city limits and in the nearby Columbia River Gorge.

The Infection Prevention Program Manager Registered Nurse serves as the clinical and administrative leader responsible for the implementation of the Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Program.

The incumbent partners with the Hospital Epidemiologist(s) to develop program goals, implement surveillance systems, mitigate risks, and promote safe, high-quality care for Veterans across inpatient, outpatient, long-term care, and specialty settings.

Duties include, but not limited to: Program Leadership & Management Leads and manages the IPC Program across all VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) sites, including inpatient, outpatient, long-term care, residential, and community-based clinics.

Partners with the Hospital Epidemiologists to direct IPC program planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement efforts.

Regulatory Compliance & Policy Development Coordinates and participates in IPC Program policy and procedure development and review including the infection control manual, other mandatory documents, and outbreak reports.

Ensures full compliance with VHA, The Joint Commission, OSHA, OIG, and applicable state regulations and adherence to national standards such as APIC, CDC, SHEA, and IDSA.

Surveillance, Analysis & Reporting Coordinates and conducts surveillance, analysis, and reporting of infection-related outcomes.

Identifies trends, conducts risk assessments, and provides data-driven recommendations to leadership and frontline services.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Consultation Promote alliances across the care continuum, building trust through active listening, engagement, and emotional intelligence.

Collaborates with internal stakeholders including but not limited to Employee Health, Industrial Hygiene, Patient Safety, Engineering, and Risk Management to provide consultation, reports, and programmatic support.

Establishes and maintains partnerships with regional (VISN) and national (VACO) VA counterparts; local academic (OHSU) and community IP programs; as well as local and state public health.

Emergency Preparedness & Specialty Expertise Coordinates and provides IP expert consultation for emergency planning, including high-consequence infection and pandemic preparedness.

Education, Training & Professional Development Seeks knowledge from professional organizations to enhance personal leadership and career growth.

Mentors and supports the professional growth of IPC Program team members and nursing students and staff.

Leads educational initiatives and contributes to professional development activities that advance IPC knowledge across the organization.

Evidence-Based Practice, Research & Quality Improvement Leads evidence-based practice and quality improvement initiatives to improve infection-related outcomes and disseminates findings to stakeholders.

Supports and/or initiates IPC-related research.

Leadership, Professionalism, and Clinical Accountability Demonstrates advanced clinical judgment with the ultimate goal to improve Veteran experience, safety, and quality of care.

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, 0700-1530; 0730-1600; or 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized