Infection Prevention Officer (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory

About the role

The Infection Prevention Officer for IHSC oversees infection prevention and outbreak investigations at detention facilities. This position is only open to USPHS officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.

Responsibilities

• Serves as an Infection Prevention Officer and subject matter expert for implementing activities related to infection prevention and control, tuberculosis (TB) case management, contact and outbreak investigations, and infection prevention training.
• Develops, implements, and monitors all associated tasks and duties related to TB case management, including, but not limited to tracking, documenting, and ensuring completeness of clinical, diagnostic, and treatment information; facilitating referrals for transnational continuity of care; reporting; and liaising with public health agencies.
• Develops, implements, and monitors all associated tasks and duties related to infection prevention and control and infectious disease public health actions, including, but not limited to surveillance, coordinating contact and outbreak investigations and liaising with public health agencies.
• Provides leadership, training, and oversight on infection prevention and control and TB case management at assigned facilities.
• Makes sure to monitor, review, coordinate, and ensure complete and timely reporting of infection prevention and control and TB case management activities to local and headquarters leadership as well as and public health authorities.
• Serves as the key liaison between the medical clinic and local and state health departments on infection prevention and control and TB case management.
• Serves as the key liaison between the local IHSC and ERO to facilitate documentation of TB clearance.
• Participates as a member of the IHSC National Public Health, Safety, and Preparedness Committee, and attends all meetings.
• Reports findings and recommended corrective actions for public health interventions in writing, through established chains of communication, within specified timeframes.
• Facilitates training and education for health staff related to infection prevention and control and TB case management.
• Collaborates and coordinates with the on-site health services administrator, medical providers, nurse manager, and facility healthcare program manager as subject matter expert and key advisor on infection prevention and control and tuberculosis case management.
• Updates local operating procedures related to infection prevention and control and tuberculosis case management and forwards for approval.
• Assists with training and coverage of infection prevention duties for other IHSC locations as needed; some travel required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must successfully pass a drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Service Remaining Requirement Agreement: Upon appointment to this position, officers will be required to serve an 18 to 24-month commitment to IHSC.
• Assignment Pay Agreement: You must not have a current Assignment Pay Agreement. However, if you have a current Assignment Pay Agreement, it must be fulfilled within 90 days of your application submission.
• Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer or USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate. Civilians are not eligible for this position.
• PHS officers must participate in IHSC TDY On-Call Schedule (ITOS).
• Physical Demands: Requires physical exertion such as lifting objects greater than 30 pounds. Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling. Must have the ability to assist sick, injured or aging detainees or staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self). The work may necessitate some physical characteristics that will be required when responding to an emergency situation, such as running short distance, prolonged standing and working in an austere environment. Must perform the duties of job in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.
• Education: Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities: Meet the minimum education requirements and, as applicable, years of experience, for either a nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or pharmacist.

Qualifications

• Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
• Makes clear and convincing oral presentations.
• Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
• Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.
• Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
• Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills.
• Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.
• Makes well-informed, effective, and timely decisions, even when data are limited or solutions produce unpleasant consequences; perceives the impact and implications of decisions.
• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner.
• Shows consistency in words and actions.
• Models high standards of ethics.
• Physical Demands: Requires physical exertion such as lifting objects greater than 30 pounds. Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling. Must have the ability to assist sick, injured or aging detainees or staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self). The work may necessitate some physical characteristics that will be required when responding to an emergency situation, such as running short distance, prolonged standing and working in an austere environment. Must perform the duties of job in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.
• Knowledge: Meet the minimum education requirements and, as applicable, years of experience, for either a nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or pharmacist.