Summary This position is located in Quality and Patient Safety Service/Infection Control. Responsibilities The Infection Control (IC) Manager is a registered professional nurse responsible for the assessment, planning, provision and evaluation of Infection Prevention and Control program and services, including oversight and management of the Multi-Drug Resistant Organism (MDRO) Program. The IC Manager serves as a role model, educator, practitioner, and manager-providing leadership to the IC section team. The ICM executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex client care as it relates to the practice of infection prevention and control and surveillance. The Infection Control Manager is the co-chair of the IC Committee and shares responsibility with the Infectious Disease Physician co-chair for the administration of the activities and decisions of the IC Committee, which reports up to the Quality Board Committee. The function of the IC Manager is to provide, direct and supervise the delivery of quality nursing care to a culturally diverse veteran population. The Registered Nurse possesses a broad-based clinical knowledge and skills to effectively apply all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting. The Infection Control Manager Registered Nurse effectively implements 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. The IC Manager is also responsible for directing and organizing the unit-specific orientation, training, and development of Infection Control staff and for directing, supervising, and evaluating their performance. The Infection Control Manager is the clinical and administrative supervisor responsible for the 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, with medical oversight from the Infectious Disease Physician/co-chair of the Infection Control Committee. The IC Manager reports directly to the Chief of Quality and Patient Safety, or designee, who provides the administrative supervision and general instruction, oversees, and evaluates work product, approves leave and completes performance evaluations. The duties and recommendations of the IC Manager can lead to changes in organizational structures, staffing levels and assignments, and policy. This is a non-bargaining unit position. 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. This includes the authority to accept, amend, or reject the work of subordinates. Has continuing responsibility for all the following functions: 1) Planning work to be accomplished by subordinates, setting priorities, and preparing schedules for completion of work. 2) Assigning work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and the requirements of the assignments, and the capabilities of subordinates. 3) Evaluating the performance of subordinates. 4) Giving advice, counsel, or instruction to subordinate personnel on work and administrative matters. 5) Hearing and resolving complaints of subordinates and referring more serious complaints not resolved 6) Recommending and/or taking disciplinary action where appropriate. 7) Identifying developmental and training needs of subordinates and providing or making provision for such development and training (VA Handbook 5007, Part III, Chapter 8). The ICM actively develops and manages collaborative partnerships with physicians and other clinicians. 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: Various 8-hour Tours available between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday thru Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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: At minimum, a Bachelor's degree in nursing. A master's degree in nursing or in a field related is preferred. 2-3 years of continuous and sustained demonstrated professional and nursing practice. Current (not expired) BLS/ACLS Certification is required. 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. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.