Veterans Home Infection Preventionist Lpn/Rn

Job ID: 27405

Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs - Michael J Fitzmaurice Veterans Home

Location: Hot Springs

Salary: Depending on qualifications and experience

Pay Grade: GH/N1-N2

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

This is a full-time position with the Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, please visit https://vetaffairs.sd.gov/.

The Infection Preventionist is a valuable member of the South Dakota Veterans Home "taking care of America's Heroes" by providing professional level nursing services that require the application of basic nursing principles, practices, and techniques following established healthcare procedures and standards. The incumbent in this role will operate in a long-term care setting. To be successful in this role, the incumbent will seek guidance and advice from more experienced colleagues and will focus on gaining knowledge and experience to perform more independently and participate in work of higher complexity.

Successful incumbent will primarily work within an office setting; however, must be available and will be scheduled to work the floor a minimum of one time per month and additionally as needed.

Duties include:

• being responsible for the facility's activities/monitoring/investigation aimed at preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) by ensuring that sources of infections are isolated to limit the spread of infectious organisms;
• developing and maintaining programs to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment;
• helping prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections;
• collaborating with facility leadership and the medical director to develop, implement, and evaluate the annual infection prevention goals and action plan;
• partnering with facility leaders, physicians, local, state, and national agencies on activities related to infection prevention;
• maintaining employee health regarding bloodborne pathogen exposure, TB testing, and influenza vaccination;
• establishing facility-wide system for the prevention, identification, investigation, and control of infections of residents, staff, and visitors, including surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they spread;
• conducting outbreak investigations;
• maintaining a system for reporting possible incidents of communicable diseases to local, state, or national agencies;
• creating and overseeing the antibiotic stewardship program and monitor residents' antibiotic use;
• assessing, developing, and presenting IPCP in-service education for individual departments, general orientation, and annual review as needed;
• monitoring resident immunization programs;
• assessing, developing, and implementing written policies and procedures for infection control, including those for standard precautions and for transmission-based precautions;
• enforcing policies prohibiting staff with communicable diseases from direct contact with residents and their food, as well as enforcing hygiene policies consistent with accepted standards of practices;
• serving as a member of QAPI;
• being accountable for surveillance of healthcare and community-acquired infections for residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors;
• maintaining current knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and appropriate issues;
• understanding and complying with infection control procedures and regulations.

Additional benefits include:

• onsite low cost housing may be available, cost is dependent on square footage;
• reduced tuition for continuing education;
• signing bonus/moving allowance;
• some flexibility of shift may also be available.

Licenses and Certifications:

Must be licensed as a LPN or RN, RN preferred, and able to work in South Dakota.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

Registered Nurse License and Associates Degree, Bachelor's Degree, or 3-year Diploma. Registered Nurse License new graduates are also welcome to apply, on the job training is available.

Nursing level depends on qualifications and experience of the incumbent. All certificates and/or tests required for performance at this level must be obtained and/or completed. LPN's also will be considered.

Knowledge of:

• Professional Nursing Theory and practices;
• professional nursing applicable to the area of assignment;
• clinical procedures.

Ability to:

• keep records;
• follow oral and written instructions;
• operate a variety of medical apparatus;
• make reports on observations;
• apply general nursing techniques and practices;
• maintain a helpful and sympathetic attitude toward patients';
• communicate information clearly and concisely;
• deal effectively with patients and staff.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. Successful applicant(s) will undergo an abuse and neglect screening. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers employer paid health insurance plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://sodakprod-lm01.cloud.infor.com:1443/lmghr/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=Q70

You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources

Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"