Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy:
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Job Posting closes: Until filled
Agency Name
Kansas Soldiers Home
https://kovs.ks.gov/
About the Position:
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Who can apply: Anyone
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Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
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Full/Part-time: Full-Time
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Regular/Temporary: Regular
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Work Schedule: M – F 8:00am – 4:30pm
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Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
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Veterans’ Preference Eligible: No
Compensation:
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Hourly Pay Range: $43.70 minimum hourly salary
Employment Benefits:
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Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
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Sick & Vacation leave
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Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
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Paid State Holidays
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Fitness Centers in select locations
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Employee discounts with the STAR Program
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Retirement and deferred compensation programs
Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…
Position Summary & Responsibilities:
Position Summary:
The Kansas Soldiers Home is looking for an Infection Preventionist who is responsible for the management and direction of the Infection Prevention and Control program (IPCP) for Long-term Care and the Assisted Living at Kansas Soldiers’ Home. The Infection Preventionist is responsible for assessing, developing, implementing, monitoring, and managing the IPCP program at the Kansas Soldiers’ Home (KSH). This requires exceedingly advanced skills and a vast knowledge base. The Infection Preventionist must have a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology, epidemiology, as well as extensive knowledge regarding the infectious disease process and infection prevention techniques. The Infection Preventionist must understand infectious agents are easily spread, which can cause already vulnerable residents to become sick and possibly be at risk for death. The Kansas Soldiers’ Home will assign the Infection Preventionist to serve as the coordinator of the Infection Control Committee and the Antibiotic Stewardship Team. This position will serve as the QAPI coordinator and be an active participant in the facility’s Quality Assessment and Assurance (QAA) Committee and report on the IPCP and on incidents identified under the program on a regular basis.
Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
Infection Prevention: Facilitate an effective infection control program that includes accompanying IMPPs that clearly describe processes and procedures to minimize risk of infection or spread of illness. Track, identify, monitor, and provide surveillance on antibiotic stewardship within facility through the use of the PointClickCare (PCC) Infection Control Program. In addition, spreadsheets and other common tools may be required as necessary to track and trend data. Oversees all screening and vaccination, as appropriate, for both residents and staff following CMS/CDC guidance. Performs special assignments or special projects as delegated by the Medical Director, Clinical Director, Director of Nursing, or Superintendent, and completes these assignments within the time frames and in accordance with special instructions given at the time the project is assigned. Will be on-call as required by management.
Infection Control Training: Develops, implements and maintains an effective training program for all staff, which includes, training on the standards, policies, and procedures for the infection prevention and control program, that is appropriate and effective, as determined by staff need. Changes to the facility’s resident population, community infection risk, national standards, staff turnover, the facility’s physical environment, or facility assessment may necessitate ongoing revisions to the facility’s training program for infection prevention and control. All training should support current scope and standards of practice through curricula which detail learning objectives, performance standards, evaluation criteria, and address potential risks to residents, staff, and volunteers if procedures are not followed. Staff participation in and understanding of the required training will be tracked. In addition to new employee orientation, training will be provided annually and as needed to maintain safety and compliance. The Program training should be designed to gain understanding of promoting a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment for residents and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable infections and disease. These programs will address the following information: Identification of disease process, gathering, analyzing, and presenting infectious data, facts and trends with communication to appropriate staff. Educating/training staff to protocols and processes to limit and contain infectious pathogens, decrease rates of infections within the facility and to determine origins of infectious disease and pathogen outbreaks, also referred to as contact tracing. The Infection Preventionist will also develop and implement tools to audit infection processes and provide education to staff and residents on appropriate interventions including the use of transmission-based precautions.
Coordinator of Infection Control Services: Coordinates nursing services as it relates to infection control and antibiotic stewardship such as regular surveillance and auditing to identify potential risks before infection can spread. Plans, organizes, directs, and conducts work in area of responsibility. Handles information from various sources with respect for the source as well as all mandatory reporting of data to all required regulatory agencies. This includes tracking and trending through PCC, NHSN, and other required sources to meet and maintain compliance. These findings will be communicated to the VA and other required supervising agencies. Communication may extend to local health departments, KDHE, CDC, etc. Examine multiple options to accomplish objectives such as testing staff and residents and tracking and trending results, along with monitoring for staff and resident compliance as per CMS guidelines and KSH IMPPs. Handles information from various sources concerning vaccination status and collecting the data from outside sources (contracted staff, vendors) per CMS guidelines.
Testing and Required Follow Up: Performs follow-up tasks related to infection control outcomes and implements infection control practices and guidelines, based on standards established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CMS, KDHE, and CCHD. Initiates communication efforts by relaying targeted notifications and updates assigned, including staff notifications related to testing requirements to ensure regulatory compliance. Will oversee screening of all staff and residents for the presence of inactive or active tuberculosis at the time of hire/admission and at least annually thereafter. Will perform necessary testing relating to any infectious agents including times of potential or actual pandemic.
Coordination of information and procedures with the Interdisciplinary Team: Will collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure continuity of care. Will participate in the Admission Team meetings to pre-determine infection control risk factors prior to admission. Will participate in weekly RISK meetings and may participate in Care Plan meetings as scheduled as appropriate.
QAA/QAPI: Serves as the KSH QAPI Coordinator for Long-Term Care and Assisted Living and is responsible for the QAPI processes. Maintains a QAPI manual that houses meeting minutes, project charters, PIP’s, PDSA reviews, data, data analysis and self-assessment tools. The information will be presented monthly to the QAA Committee in a concise manner that has been analyzed and compared to benchmarks and/or targets established by the facility. This position will lead the QAPI team to identify trends and areas for facility improvement which will include potential action plans leading to improved outcomes. The QAPI Coordinator ensures that consistent and appropriate training is provided to KSH employees at the new hire orientation, annually and as needed.
Other Assigned Duties: Other duties as assigned by direct supervisor to assist in meeting the needs of the facility which may include providing RN coverage in various neighborhoods to meet a staffing shortage, may be assigned as House Supervisor, and may delegate appropriate tasks to licensed staff, including LPN’s. Will be on-call as required by management. May be scheduled to work other shifts or duties as needed including evenings and weekends.
Qualifications:
Education
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General Education
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Must be educated and trained as a Registered Nurse
Licensing & Certification
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At time of appointment the employee must possess a Kansas license/temporary permit, or be given authority to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) by the Kansas State Board of Nursing.
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Must have obtained specialized Infection Prevention and Control training beyond initial professional training or education prior to assuming the role.
Minimum Qualifications
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Knowledge of: 1) professional nursing theory and practice, and 2) internal working relationships of the facility staff
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Ability to: 1) apply nursing techniques as directed to patient care situations, 2) coordinate the services of a staff of professionals to provide appropriate nursing care to a group of patients, 3) follow specific or general procedures and directions, 4) prepare and maintain records, charts and reports, 5) maintain a helpful and sympathetic attitude towards patients under trying conditions and to maintain harmonious working relationships with subordinates and supervisors, and 6) instruct staff of professional, paraprofessional and non-professional personnel responsible for the care and treatment of the physically ill and aging population.
Preferred Qualifications
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Independent work experience in a skilled nursing environment
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Preferred one year of supervisory experience
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Two years preferred working experience with geriatric population
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Prefer six months of Infection Prevention and Control experience
Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements
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As authorized by the 2018 Kansas Legislature, effective July 1, 2018, K.S.A. 75-4362 is amended to designate all positions with the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs office, to include both the Kansas Soldiers’ Home and Kansas Veterans’ Home as Safety Sensitive positions and subject to the drug testing program. All applicants with a conditional offer of employment on or after July 1, 2018, shall be required to submit to a drug screening test.
- Must successfully pass background check as required by K.S.A. 39-970
Recruiter Contact Information:
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Name: Shayle WIlliam
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Email: [email protected]
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Phone: 620-682-7512
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Mailing Address: 714 Sheridan Unit 128, Fort Dodge, KS 67843
Required documents for this application to be complete:
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Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of the job posting to the appropriate location.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Equal Employment Opportunity
The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the recruiter.
How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference
Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.
Disability Hiring Preference | Kansas Department of Administration (ks.gov)
PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference would NOT be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785) 826-7712, scanned and emailed to [email protected], or can be mailed/delivered in person to:
ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612
