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.
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.
dacia.blascoe@va.gov · 612-467-2386
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $90469 – $154749/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
Applications close on 2026-10-19.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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