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Title: HAI/AR Nurse Epidemiologist

State Role Title: Nurse Investigator

Hiring Range: $102,260 - $111,000

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: Dept of Health

Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Health, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, is seeking an experienced individual to serve as the Nurse Epidemiologist for the Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program. The HAI/AR Nurse Epidemiologist will provide oversight and subject matter expertise to coordinate state, regional and local district response efforts for targeted multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and other infectious diseases in healthcare and congregate settings across Virginia according to CDC guidance. Targeted MDROs include carbapenemase-producing organisms, Candida auris, vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), and other emerging infections.
In addition, the HAI/AR Nurse Epidemiologist will provide infection prevention and control guidance for HAI/AR outbreaks including outbreaks of targeted multidrug-resistant organisms, invasive group A Streptococcus in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities as well as MRSA outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units. As such, this position will collaborate extensively with the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, the Mid-Atlantic AR Laboratory, other HAI/AR staff, regional epidemiologists, regional infection preventionists, local health districts, other state agencies, and healthcare staff. This position will serve as the infection prevention and control subject matter expert and the HAI/AR outbreak lead.
The HAI/AR Nurse Epidemiologist will be responsible for developing and updating disease control guidance for targeted MDROs and HAI outbreaks for local health districts. To do this, this position must remain up to date with guidance from federal agencies and professional organizations and coordinate with VDH infection preventionists.
The HAI/AR Nurse Epidemiologist will present guidance and situational updates to statewide audiences via presentations, the VDH website, and consultations, and will serve as a member of the Virginia HAI Advisory Group. This position will conduct education for public health and healthcare staff in conjunction with the HAI/AR Program's Infection Prevention Educator. These efforts will build capacity for case and outbreak response, preparedness, and infection prevention and control.
This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the CDC Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for August 1, 2025 period ending July 31, 2027. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.
The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

Considerable knowledge of transmission, prevention, and treatment of and related clinical practice guidelines; public health theory, practice, and epidemiology; quality assurance, quality management, and program evaluation; and HAI federal and state laws, regulations and policies
Strong data analysis, computer, and oral and written communication skills
Ability to conduct research and make recommendations; apply findings; develop and execute goals and objectives; develop curricula utilizing adult learning theory/techniques; develop and conduct program training and evaluation; problem solve and make decisions
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with laboratories, pharmacies, clinicians, community-based organizations, and related professional partners
Ability to prepare and review technically accurate reports and educational materials; develop, interpret and implement policies and procedures; and provide technical assistance

Additional Considerations

Extensive experience in infection prevention and control programs, working in a public health clinic, and providing infection prevention and control training to physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other clinicians preferred
Ability to travel onsite to healthcare and congregate settings
Participation in respiratory protection program
Availability to work weekends and on-call rotations as needed

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered.
Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service's Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests maybe required for certain positions.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be
conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

Name: Yatavia Banks

Phone: 804.629.8491

Email: Yatavia.Banks@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.