OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?
Duties include but not limited to: Participates in the ongoing operations of the Medical Center's Infection Prevention and Control Program, working with Infectious Disease physicians and others as appropriate to develop guidelines, actions items and data collection procedures. In addition, the incumbent collaborates with others in the design, conduct and analysis of other epidemiological studies. Participates in activities to assist in the compliance of the Medical Center (MC) to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Participates in the development of innovative approaches to implementing and assessing the efficacy of programs for the MC designed to prevent hospital-associated infections. Examples of such projects are the influenza immunization program, hand hygiene campaigns, construction risk assessment, and the needlestick prevention program. Develops innovative approaches to implementing and assessing the efficacy of programs for the MC designed to prevent hospital-associated infections. Examples of such projects are the influenza immunization program, hand hygiene campaigns, construction risk assessment, and the needlestick prevention program. Meets with several MC Committees and teams to discuss pertinent laboratory findings, their clinical significance, and necessary control measures, as well as other infection control concerns, and when unusual problems in Infection Control develop and presents feedback after appropriate action has been taken. Institutes appropriate isolation procedures. Provide infection control consultation at the Medical Center, Community Living Center (CLC), Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) and other outpatient points of care environments. This includes the review of microbiology laboratory data and the prompt reporting of significant results (both within the Medical Center, to VA Central Office, oversight agencies and to local public health authorities, as appropriate). Implements developed surveillance techniques to track and predict the occurrence of Hospital associated infections. Educates staff regarding the potential for transmission of identified pathogens. Identifies patients requiring isolation, places patients in appropriate category isolation. Recommends the use of isolation procedures in accordance with MC and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. Educates staff regarding isolation techniques and their relevance to the transmission of infection. Independently gathers data on healthcare associated infections and assembles it for presentation including graphic display and analysis based on up to-date infection prevention and control practice. Surveys the Medical Center, Community Living Center (CLC), Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) and other outpatient points of care environments for potential foci of infection. Identifies outbreaks of nosocomial infection and conducts outbreak investigations. Develops and maintains electronic records of nosocomial infections the MC. Notes case clustering and identifies unusual pathogens independently. Communicates with HES peers regarding the occurrence of hospital associated infections in the CC. Participates in the gathering and recording of data on current practices, equipment uses, or clinical findings requested by appropriate authorities at VA Medical Center, including but not limited to, VA Central Office (VACO) or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Provides knowledge, direction and support through educational programs, training, and consultation regarding the complex issues surrounding the safe provision of care of patients with blood-borne infectious diseases, including HIV infection. Synthesizes currently available data and, through continuing studies, provides additional data relevant to these issues. Provides professional consultative support to the medical, nursing, and ancillary staff of the MC regarding clinical research projects in the field of hospital epidemiology; assists researchers with study design, data collection, management, and analysis pertinent to the conduct of epidemiological studies. Designs techniques to be used in evaluating the efficacy of educational, prevention, and surveillance programs, and advises the Hospital Epidemiologist accordingly, through the use of program review, observation, and user feedback. Collects and tracks colonization and infection data through passive and active surveillance, using electronic tools, microbiology records, chart review, rounds, and multidisciplinary communication. Prepares handouts for house staff and other trainees as needed to clarify or reinforce Infection Prevention and Control policies or procedures. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm.
There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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/.
WILLIAM.SIMMONS@VA.GOV (717) 272-6621 X4024
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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