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

The Infection Prevention Officer for IHSC oversees infection prevention and outbreak investigations at detention facilities. Responsibilities include training, reporting, liaising with public health agencies. Requires clinical credentials, infection control experience, and strong analytic, project management, and communication skills.

This position is only open to current USPHS officers.
USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Provides leadership, training, and oversight on infection prevention and control and TB case management at assigned facilities.
5. Monitors, reviews, coordinates, and ensures 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.
6. Serves as the key liaison between the medical clinic and local and state health departments on infection prevention and control and TB case management.
7. Serves as the key liaison between the local IHSC and ERO to facilitate documentation of TB clearance.
8. Actively participates as a member of the IHSC National Public Health, Safety, and Preparedness Committee, and attends all meetings.
9. Reports findings and recommended corrective actions for public health interventions in writing, through established chains of communication, within specified timeframes.
10. Facilitates training and education for health staff related to infection prevention and control and TB case management.
11. 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.
12. Updates local operating procedures related to infection prevention and control and tuberculosis case management and forwards for approval.
13. Assists with training and coverage of infection prevention duties for other IHSC locations as needed; some travel required.
14. Other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES:

1. Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
2. Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
3. Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
4. Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills.
5. Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.
6. Makes well-informed, effective, and timely decisions, even when data are limited or solutions produce unpleasant consequences; perceives the impact and implications of decisions.
7. Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner. Shows consistency in words and actions. Models high standards of ethics.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. Requires physical exertion such as lifting objects greater than 30 pounds
2. Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling
3. 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)
4. 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
5. Must perform the duties of job in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Meet the minimum education requirements and, as applicable, years of experience, for either a nurse, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or pharmacist.
   • Nurse. Must possess at least four years of professional nursing experience and bachelor's of science in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Or must possess a master's of science in nursing.
   • Nurse practitioner. Must possess a master's of science in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
   • Physician assistant. Must possess at least four years of professional physician assistant experience and bachelor's degree in physician assistant from a program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. Or must possess a master's degree in physician assistant.
   • Pharmacist. Pharm.D. degree from a program accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education.
2. Current, unrestricted, and valid license (i.e., applicable to discipline) from any U.S. state, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam. It is the responsibility of the incumbent to fulfill the obligation(s) of their licensing or certifying body to maintain currency. This position may be required to perform clinical activities with the scope of clinical license in times of critical needs within and at the direction of the agency.
3. Maintains CPR/BLS Certification
4. Strong clinical background with a minimum three years professional experience in infection prevention and control and/or TB care.
5. Knowledge of national guidance, policies, accreditation standards, and laws addressing infection prevention and control and tuberculosis case management for detention health care settings.
6. Proficiency with a broad range of analytic skills for collecting, managing, and analyzing quantitative and qualitative information for public health investigations and TB case management.
7. High degree of independence, initiative, and follow-through with attention to detail.
8. Proficiency with managing complex information in spreadsheets, databases, and SharePoint lists.
9. Proficiency with word processing using Microsoft Word to ensure documents adhere with agency formatting requirements.
10. Flexibility in applying skills and knowledge in a detention health services setting.
11. Flexibility and adaptability to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements.
12. Demonstrates a working knowledge of ICE and IHSC rules, regulations, and policies.
13. Ability to interact well and collaborate with all levels of government, including IHSC,ERO, ICE and DHS offices, and with Federal contractors, and with local, state, and federal public health authorities.
14. Strong project management skills and abilities.
15. Proficiency with electronic health records and ability to quickly develop competency with IHSC's electronic health record.

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. | Requirements by Closing Date: 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. USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position. Civilians are not eligible for this position. | PHS officers must participate in IHSC TDY On-Call Schedule (ITOS.) ITOS is either an entire month or two 16-day periods a year where, depending on the needs of the agency, the officer is required to be available to serve.