Nurse (Infection Control)

Summary

About the Position: This position is located at A.T. Augusta Military Medical Center located at Fort Belvoir, VA. This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

Duties

• Manage the hospital-wide infection surveillance program based on risk assessments and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct risk assessments for construction projects (ICRAs) and integrates geographical/population risks.
• Use epidemiological principles to identify and track infection trends and clusters.
• Lead quality assurance and improvement activities related to infection control.
• Act as an infection control consultant for the medical treatment facility (MTF), clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
• Educate staff on new policies and evidence-based practices.
• Provide clinical oversight for high-level disinfection and sterile processing functions
• Create policies for emergency management, nursing, and infection control.
• Develop policies and procedures to maintain readiness for The Joint Commission (TJC) accreditation.
• Conduct training for new and existing staff to meet annual and accreditation requirements.
• Monitor compliance with standard precautions, sterilization, disinfection, and sanitation standards.
• Serve as Co-Chairperson for the command Infection Control committee, guiding the implementation of infection control policies and objectives.
• Act as a liaison between hospital departments and the Infection Control committee.
• Collaborate with Risk Management and Patient Safety to review and advise on safety-related events.
• Develop educational programs on complex infection control topics, such as blood-borne pathogens.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Nurse (Infection Control):Degree: A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.). Licensure: A current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States; and you must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination. Foreign Degree: A degree from a Foreign Nursing School. Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools. Exemption: You are exempt from the basic requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0610 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017 or before. Applicants claiming this exemption must meet the requirement below. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status. Degree or diploma from a professional nursing program approved by the legally designated State accrediting agency at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Active, current registration as a professional nurse in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Education/Experience: A diploma, associate degree, or bachelor's degree in nursing from a professional nursing program and possession of at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-9 grade level or above) which includes advising on potential improvement opportunities for infection control compliance, infection control, high level disinfectant and sterile processing; plan, coordinate, and conduct assessments of internal processes and procedures; and implement training sessions programs. OR Education: A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or related medical science field. EXEMPTION: You are exempt from the qualification requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0610 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017 or before. Applicants claiming this exemption must meet one of the requirement below. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status. Completion of all requirements for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) from a professional nursing programOR3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education from a professional nursing program

Education

See Qualifications section for education requirements. How You Will Be Evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates. Other Information

Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest. Direct Deposit of Pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.