Summary
The Infection Preventionist (IP) Registered Nurse (RN) is a professional nurse who brings specialized expertise in infection prevention and control, with an emphasis on identifying and advancing opportunities to improve patient safety and care outcomes, and to safeguard the health of Veterans, staff, and visitors across the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.
Duties
Major duties include but are not limited to: Lead HAI and infection-risk surveillance using standardized methodologies and benchmarks such as NHSN, VACO, and the MDRO Program Office. Identify and respond to reportable or actionable organisms by reviewing microbiology and laboratory reports daily, including MDROs, C. difficile, and tuberculosis. Conduct outbreak and infection-cluster investigations, including case definitions, line listings, epidemic curves, and coordinated response activities. Ensure timely isolation and appropriate precautions for patients, including correct isolation categories, PPE, disinfection supplies, and transmission-based precautions. Conduct daily clinical rounding with nursing and care teams to identify, prevent, and resolve infection risks at the point of care. Monitor, validate, and submit infection-prevention data to IPEC and other required systems while resolving discrepancies and maintaining data integrity. Evaluate infection-prevention program effectiveness across all clinical and nonclinical practice settings and identify opportunities for improvement. Perform environmental rounds and compliance audits to assess adherence to infection-control practices and regulatory requirements. Provide expert consultation and education on infection precautions, prevention procedures, and communicable-disease transmission, serving as a subject-matter resource to staff and departments and supporting safe, compliant patient care. Apply evidence-based practices, published guidelines, and regulatory requirements-including CDC, NHSN, Joint Commission, APIC, AORN, AAMI, and OIG standards-to evaluate and improve MVAHCS infection-prevention practices, products, and procedures. 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, 0730-1600 Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: ADHOC-May be authorized (Employee who Telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement). This is not a virtual position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Preferred experience: BSN or MSN preferred Experience in Public Health and/or infection prevention and control Certification in Infection Control (CIC) and or Public Health certification Coursework or academic background in epidemiology, biostatistics, or population health Experience with Healthcare Safety Network or other national surveillance reporting systems The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
Requirements
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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel. 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.