Summary This position is located within the Department of Infection and Control, at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC), in Phoenix, AZ. Incumbent performs highly specialized Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) duties, to include identification of the infectious disease processes, surveillance, epidemiological investigation, and preventing and controlling transmission of infectious agents; as well as environment of care, cleaning, sterilization, disinfection, and aseptic technique. Responsibilities **This position is being re-advertised to solicit additional applications. Applicants who applied previously need not reapply unless submitting updated and/or missing information. Supports the Department of Infection Prevention and Control throughout PIMC by providing recommendations based on extended specialized training in infection control for the ongoing review and development of clinical practice in compliance to IPC regulations, standards and best practices. Makes recommendations to the Director for critical IPC decisions to guide either the inpatient or ambulatory area in approach, methodology, or interpretation and evaluation processes in response to internal and external environmental changes to clinical programs, technologies, pandemics, immediate outbreaks, conflicting requirements, or other urgent issues. Researches trends and patterns to keep abreast of current research, professional information and best practices for infection prevention and control issues from government and /or private organizations, i.e. Centers of Disease Control (CDC), Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Joint Commission (TJC), and Occupational Safety Health Association (OSHA) on standards that relate to IPC. Using tracer methodology, assesses PIMC for standards compliance with Centers of Disease Control (CDC), Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety Health Association (OSHA), and with PIMC policies and procedures. Updates all hospital personnel on infection prevention issues via annual in-services, unit specific in-services and articles. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must pass pre-employment examination. Selectee may be subject to a probationary period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes. Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required. Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities. COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty. The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/. You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process. Qualifications To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): Note: Employees currently assigned to positions in this occupational series as of September 2017 will be considered to have met the basic requirements for the position occupied. Education: A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. Degree from Foreign Nursing School: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools. Licensure: For all grade levels and positions, applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination. In addition, they must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications and Selective Placement Factor stated below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS,GS-12: Applicants must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Working knowledge of regulatory agency standards on Infection Control and Prevention issues, including The Joint Commission standards, Centers of Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and Nursing Professional recommendations from organizations. This includes knowledge of educational and training principles, techniques and practices related to the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of infection control in-services, annual infection prevention training, and employee orientation programs and must communicate, verbally and in writing to conduct presentations and prepare written reports. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: Applicants who do not meet a selective factor are ineligible for further consideration. Must possess a current certification in Infection Control (CIC) through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC). (Must attach copy of certification to application.) You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Education This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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 http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Per IHS policy (SGM 21-04) IHS selectees to positions located in Federally operated hospitals, health centers, and clinics must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entry on duty or have IHS approve a medical or religious exemption. If an exemption is approved then wearing a face mask and regular testing for COVID-19 will be required. Your Human Resources Specialist will provide a list of documents acceptable as vaccination proof and instructions on how to submit your vaccination documentation or how to request a medical or religious exemption, if needed. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives may be authorized and is subject to availability and service unit approval. If offered, you will be required to sign a one (1) year service agreement. Failure to fulfill the service agreement will result in repayment of the incentive. The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit: For IHS - http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/ For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/ For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps This position has no promotion potential.