Infection Prevention Nurse (RN IV)

The Massachusetts Veterans Home at Holyoke is seeking an experienced and dedicated healthcare professional to serve as the Infection Prevention Nurse (Registered Nurse IV). This position provides direct staff support, is responsible for assisting in the improvement of infection control and prevention programs and procedures, and monitors the development and implementation of infection control and prevention measures throughout the Home. 

Schedule:  This is a full-time (40 hours/week) position classically working day shift Monday through Friday.  Please note: This is 24 hour/7 days a week long-term care facility; as a result, the Veterans Home at Holyoke may require this individual to be present during nontraditional hours when circumstances dictate the operational need.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Monitors, evaluates, plans and implements the Veterans Home at Holyoke Infection Control Program
• Supervises/directs nursing supervisors in clinical services surrounding infection prevention
• Assists with direct Veteran care when needed by delivering general age-specific nursing care for adult and geriatric Veterans, with varying degrees of chronic physical disabilities and diseases; as well as psychiatric diagnoses, depression, and various dementia related disorders, to include Alzheimer’s disease; with accompanying behavioral issues
• Provides consultation to all departments on health & safety issues
• Prepares infection surveillance report and annual reports, and presents it to the Infection Control Committee and Administration
• Compiles data and keeps accurate records of all epidemiological programs, surveys, studies and problems; reports results to the Infection Control Committee and Administration
• Responsible for the Infection Control components of the Employee Health program
• Reports information required by the city, state and federal health departments
• Develops and revises Infection Control policies with departmental supervisors and helps with implementation
• Ensures compliance with infection control regulations, standards, and guidelines of all regulatory agencies, including the Department of Public Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), the Department of Veterans Affairs, and all other licensing agencies
• Performs pre-admission screens of Veterans
• Assists in formulating, reviewing and revising veteran care policies/procedures
• Performs other related duties as required or as directed by the Quality Manager

Required Qualifications:

• Must possess a current, active certification as a Registered Nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
• Must possess a current and valid CPR/BLS certification through the American Heart Association

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology at time of hire is desirable, or certification within one (1) year of hire
• Knowledge of current nursing medical and health care trends and practices in rendering patient care
• Experience working with the geriatric and memory-impaired population
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to interpret standards of infection control and effectively ensure facility is in compliance with such
• Proficient in Microsoft Office to include Word, Excel and PowerPoint 

About the Veterans Home at Holyoke:

The Veterans Home at Holyoke is a state-funded, fully accredited health care facility that offers veterans quality health care, including full-time residential accommodations, and provides educational and social services for Veterans in the Commonwealth. The Veterans Home is staffed by approximately 350+ administrators, clinicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, skilled trade, dietary staff, housekeeping staff, contractors, consultants and general administrative personnel. The tradition of service to the veterans of Massachusetts is surpassed only by a continued commitment to excellence in care for those who are in need now and in the future. Our mission is to provide “Care with Dignity, Honor, and Respect” to our Veterans.

Learn more about our important work: http://www.mass.gov/hly

Total Compensation:

As an employee of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are offered a great career opportunity influencing a wide-spectrum of services to the diverse populations we serve - but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits which you should consider towards your overall compensation, including:

• 75% state paid medical insurance premium
• Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
• Low cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
• 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation and Personal Time
• Tuition Benefit for employee and spouse at state colleges and universities
• Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
• Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program 

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

 
Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience as a registered nurse in a recognized hospital, clinic or medical facility and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory, administrative or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:
I. A Graduate degree with a major in Nursing may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*

No substitutions will be allowed for the required (B) experience.

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.