Explore a Career with the South Dakota State Government

Explore a Career with the South Dakota State Government
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Veterans Home Infection Preventionist and Wound Care Nurse - LPN/RN

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 36156
Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs - Michael J Fitzmaurice Veterans Home
Location: Hot Springs, SD
Salary: $27.00 to $39.00 per hour - depending on qualifications and experience
Pay Grade: GH/N1-N2
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

This is a full-time position with the Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, please visit https://vetaffairs.sd.gov/ .

The Infection Prevention & Wound Care Nurse provides infection prevention oversight and specialized wound management in support of the facility's mission of "taking care of America's Heroes." This position provides nursing services that require the application of basic nursing principles, practices, and techniques within the long-term care setting. To be successful in this role, the incumbent will seek guidance and advice from more experienced colleagues and will focus on gaining knowledge and experience to perform more independently and participate in work of higher complexity.

Successful incumbent must be available to/will be scheduled to work the floor a minimum of 1 shift per week and additionally as needed.

Infection Prevention Duties include:
  • being responsible for the facility's activities/monitoring/investigation aimed at preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) by ensuring that sources of infections are isolated to limit the spread of infectious organisms;
  • developing and maintaining programs to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment;
  • helping prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections;
  • collaborating with facility leadership and the medical director to develop, implement, and evaluate the annual infection prevention goals and action plan;
  • partnering with facility leaders, physicians, local, state, and national agencies on activities related to infection prevention;
  • maintaining employee health regarding bloodborne pathogen exposure, TB testing, and influenza vaccination;
  • establishing facility-wide system for the prevention, identification, investigation, and control of infections of residents, staff, and visitors, including surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they spread;
  • conducting outbreak investigations;
  • maintaining a system for reporting possible incidents of communicable diseases to local, state, or national agencies;
  • creating and overseeing the antibiotic stewardship program and monitor residents' antibiotic use;
  • assessing, developing, and presenting IPCP in-service education for individual departments, general orientation, and annual review as needed;
  • monitoring resident immunization programs;
  • assessing, developing, and implementing written policies and procedures for infection control, including those for standard precautions and for transmission-based precautions;
  • enforcing policies prohibiting staff with communicable diseases from direct contact with residents and their food, as well as enforcing hygiene policies consistent with accepted standards of practices;
  • serving as a member of QAPI;
  • being accountable for surveillance of healthcare and community-acquired infections for residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors;
  • maintaining current knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and appropriate issues;
  • understanding and complying with infection control procedures and regulations.

Wound Care Duties include:

  • performing all skin checks and documenting findings;
  • educating staff on wound care protocols;
  • creating and updating wound care plans;
  • performing procedures: debridement, cleaning/dressing wounds, packing, wound vac, diabetic foot care, ostomy and suprapubic cares;
  • collaborating with interdisciplinary team for skin interventions;
  • in coordination with the provider, writing nursing orders promoting wound healing.


Additional benefits include:
  • onsite low cost housing may be available, cost is dependent on square footage;
  • reduced tuition for continuing education.

Licenses and Certifications:

Must be licensed as a LPN or RN, RN preferred, and able to work in South Dakota.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

  • Registered Nurse License and Associates Degree or Bachelor's Degree
  • Strong clinical assessment and communication skills.
  • Experience in infection control and wound care preferred.
  • Infection Prevention and Wound Care Certification preferred.


Nursing level depends on qualifications and experience of the incumbent. All certificates and/or tests required for performance at this level must be obtained and/or completed. LPN's will also be considered.

Knowledge of:
  • Professional Nursing Theory and practices;
  • professional nursing applicable to the area of assignment;
  • clinical procedures.

Ability to:
  • maintain records;
  • follow verbal and written instructions;
  • operate medical equipment;
  • make reports on observations;
  • apply nursing techniques and practices;
  • work effectively with residents and staff;
  • communicate information clearly and concisely.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. Successful applicant(s) will undergo an abuse and neglect screening. Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=43L
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"

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