Registered Nurse- Quality Management Consultant (Infection Prevention/Accreditat
Direct Jobs, Billings, MT, United States
Summary
The Registered Nurse Quality Management (QM) Consultant - Infection Prevention (IP)/Accreditation demonstrates leadership - experience - and creative approaches to improvement in quality-of-care outcomes. The program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility. The RN is assigned responsibility for their assigned quality management program area activities for the Medical Center and all off-site locations.
Basic Qualifications
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.) 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/12946512
Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
OR a Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
OR a Master’s degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
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 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 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/
Preferred Experience: Areas of Infection prevention - Joint Commission Accreditation Standards - Quality Management - Data Analysis - Healthcare Operations
Physical Requirements: The position involves considerable standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turning
It requires restraining confused patients - repositioning patients - assisting with transferring patients to Wheelchairs/stretchers/cars - and transporting them to other departments or facilities
Mechanical devices available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients
The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs
The RN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
This position requires visual acuity - good hearing - distinctive speech and manual dexterity
The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect his/herself from physically abusive patients.
Duties
Duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to - the following: Functions as a facilitator and subject matter expert to assigned committees and services for issues regarding performance improvement related to Infection Prevention - tracers - and accreditation activities
Provides program oversight and coordination in quality - High Reliability - and performance management processes by assisting with performance improvement activities
Utilizes patient satisfaction data to assist in improving the patient experience
Implements safety systems that supports the promotion of a culture of safety by determining priorities that will best meet Veterans' safety needs within Montana VA
Serves as an expert consultant in infection prevention and control for staff - students - patients - families - and visitors based on nationally established infection control guidelines and standards
Possesses knowledge in areas of patient care practices - microbiology - asepsis - environmental infection prevention and control - disinfection/sterilization - adult education - infectious diseases - and communication
Investigates suspected outbreaks of infections and exposures to infectious agents and collaborating with public health agencies and interdisciplinary team members in providing primary and specialized care to patients
Performs surveillances/inspections and providing guidance to reduce transmission of infectious diseases in an ambulatory care - hospital - and long-term care setting
Collects data relevant to quality improvement efforts in infection control and using the data effectively to evaluate outcomes in coordination with the Infection Preventionist
Assesses and evaluates the Infection Prevention activities for inclusion in the annual risk assessment and plan
Collaborates with the Infection Preventionist and multidisciplinary teams to evaluate the environment of patients and related areas
Evaluates patient care equipment and products to ensure they meet the internal and external standards of infection control and prevention
Guides changes in practices or products to reduce the risk of infection to patients - staff - students - patients - and visitors
Ensures practices of healthcare employees - visitors - and students are consistent with internal and external infection prevention standards through data collection - interpretation - reporting of findings with an appropriate action plan - implementation of plan - and evaluation
Assesses the infection prevention educational needs related to infection prevention for healthcare staff - patients - and visitors - and implements an educational plan to meet those needs and meet the requirements of The Joint Commission
Assesses educational needs related tracers and accreditation activities
Collects - aggregates - and analyzes data that can be utilized for tracking and trending for process improvement for accreditation/external review functions - performance measures - and quality management functions
Assists in medical center activities and preparations for accreditation continual readiness activities and other external reviews and monitors the follow-up to recommendations throughout MTVAHCS
Systematically evaluates current practice through the application of the nursing processes as they relate to accreditation and regulatory principles/practices and evidenced based practice
Formulates outcomes for organizational processes within area of expertise
Produces improved outcomes - which impact patient care - organizational processes - and/or systems
Assists in tracking of accreditation survey outcomes and serving as facility liaison for submission of formal responses
Evaluates health care delivery by identifying problems - seeking resolutions - implementing change - and assessing progress and evaluating outcome in collaboration with appropriate personnel
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
8:00am to 4:30 pm
Telework: This position is authorized for telework-situational (ad-hoc) AND has not been authorized as remote
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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The Registered Nurse Quality Management (QM) Consultant - Infection Prevention (IP)/Accreditation demonstrates leadership - experience - and creative approaches to improvement in quality-of-care outcomes. The program or service level outcomes must be broad and complex and can be demonstrated at any organizational level within a facility. The RN is assigned responsibility for their assigned quality management program area activities for the Medical Center and all off-site locations.
Basic Qualifications
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.) 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/12946512
Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
OR a Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
OR a Master’s degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
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 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 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/
Preferred Experience: Areas of Infection prevention - Joint Commission Accreditation Standards - Quality Management - Data Analysis - Healthcare Operations
Physical Requirements: The position involves considerable standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turning
It requires restraining confused patients - repositioning patients - assisting with transferring patients to Wheelchairs/stretchers/cars - and transporting them to other departments or facilities
Mechanical devices available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients
The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs
The RN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
This position requires visual acuity - good hearing - distinctive speech and manual dexterity
The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect his/herself from physically abusive patients.
Duties
Duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to - the following: Functions as a facilitator and subject matter expert to assigned committees and services for issues regarding performance improvement related to Infection Prevention - tracers - and accreditation activities
Provides program oversight and coordination in quality - High Reliability - and performance management processes by assisting with performance improvement activities
Utilizes patient satisfaction data to assist in improving the patient experience
Implements safety systems that supports the promotion of a culture of safety by determining priorities that will best meet Veterans' safety needs within Montana VA
Serves as an expert consultant in infection prevention and control for staff - students - patients - families - and visitors based on nationally established infection control guidelines and standards
Possesses knowledge in areas of patient care practices - microbiology - asepsis - environmental infection prevention and control - disinfection/sterilization - adult education - infectious diseases - and communication
Investigates suspected outbreaks of infections and exposures to infectious agents and collaborating with public health agencies and interdisciplinary team members in providing primary and specialized care to patients
Performs surveillances/inspections and providing guidance to reduce transmission of infectious diseases in an ambulatory care - hospital - and long-term care setting
Collects data relevant to quality improvement efforts in infection control and using the data effectively to evaluate outcomes in coordination with the Infection Preventionist
Assesses and evaluates the Infection Prevention activities for inclusion in the annual risk assessment and plan
Collaborates with the Infection Preventionist and multidisciplinary teams to evaluate the environment of patients and related areas
Evaluates patient care equipment and products to ensure they meet the internal and external standards of infection control and prevention
Guides changes in practices or products to reduce the risk of infection to patients - staff - students - patients - and visitors
Ensures practices of healthcare employees - visitors - and students are consistent with internal and external infection prevention standards through data collection - interpretation - reporting of findings with an appropriate action plan - implementation of plan - and evaluation
Assesses the infection prevention educational needs related to infection prevention for healthcare staff - patients - and visitors - and implements an educational plan to meet those needs and meet the requirements of The Joint Commission
Assesses educational needs related tracers and accreditation activities
Collects - aggregates - and analyzes data that can be utilized for tracking and trending for process improvement for accreditation/external review functions - performance measures - and quality management functions
Assists in medical center activities and preparations for accreditation continual readiness activities and other external reviews and monitors the follow-up to recommendations throughout MTVAHCS
Systematically evaluates current practice through the application of the nursing processes as they relate to accreditation and regulatory principles/practices and evidenced based practice
Formulates outcomes for organizational processes within area of expertise
Produces improved outcomes - which impact patient care - organizational processes - and/or systems
Assists in tracking of accreditation survey outcomes and serving as facility liaison for submission of formal responses
Evaluates health care delivery by identifying problems - seeking resolutions - implementing change - and assessing progress and evaluating outcome in collaboration with appropriate personnel
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
8:00am to 4:30 pm
Telework: This position is authorized for telework-situational (ad-hoc) AND has not been authorized as remote
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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