This position serves as the Quality and Patient Safety for VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS),
Preferred Experience: Registered Nurse with valid license to practice. Compassionate and patient centered approach to care. Strong organizational and multi-tasking abilities. Excellent communication, and interpersonal skills. Team player. Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) Professional practice includes demonstrated skills in quality management, behavioral health program, and patient safety. The incumbent completes tracers and uses clinical knowledge to provide day-to-day evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of clinical performance. The incumbent must be self-directed and independent toward providing positive outcomes and provide support of the organization's systematic plan for a culture of high reliability, quality, and safety. The incumbent must possess demonstrated knowledge of The Joint Commission standards and/or other regulatory standards to identify gaps in compliance and to help develop strategies to address complex issues. The incumbent must have excellent attendance and flexibility in scheduling, must be knowledgeable of computer systems, and must have demonstrated effective coaching and mentoring skills, and must be able to stand, walk, and sit for varied amounts of time. NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12720149 Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping. sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES Professional practice includes demonstrated skills in quality management, behavioral health program, and patient safety. The incumbent completes tracers and uses clinical knowledge to provide day-to-day evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of clinical performance within the behavioral health program and/or other services that might not meet accreditation and VHA standards, uses data collected by internal and external monitoring processes to identify trends and concerns, implements strategies to develop performance improvement plans and promote sustainability of plans, and provides accurate and timely continuous readiness tracking reports based on opportunities for improvement identified through tracer activity. The incumbent must be self-directed and independent toward providing positive outcomes and provide support of the organization's systematic plan for a culture of high reliability, quality, and safety. This includes using clinical knowledge to complete individual quality reviews and/or case assessments in the behavioral health program and/or other services to determine which improvement efforts are necessary to improve care delivery. The incumbent must possess effective communication skills in dealing with staff and have the ability to work with interdisciplinary teams, using clinical knowledge to assist in implementing relevant improvement strategies, which includes, but are not limited to, planning and coordination efforts, individual or group education, assisting in the analysis of data, or process change. The incumbent must possess demonstrated knowledge of The Joint Commission standards and/or other regulatory standards to identify gaps in compliance and to help develop strategies to address complex issues and identify key vulnerabilities in the behavioral health program, and able to translate policies into action within the complex interrelationships that exist related to continuous survey readiness. The incumbent leads, directs, assists the behavioral health program and/or other service staff in the preparation and successful completion of internal and external mock and actual accreditation surveys. Assists services in the development of corrective action plans which address deficiencies in practice and opportunities for improvement and lessons learned. The incumbent participates in various healthcare system committees, councils, or workgroups to guide accreditation preparation, continuous readiness efforts, and meet facility performance measures. Assists services in the development or improvement of policies that will ultimately determine whether we meet external or internal performance standards. The incumbent utilizes knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, medical and nursing diagnoses, interpreting orders, lab values, progress notes, medications, and treatment plans, to be able to determine and discuss the appropriateness of health care provided by various behavioral health program and/or other service professionals at VASNHS. The incumbent completes other assignments as delegated by the Executive of Quality, Safety and Value, Deputy Executive of Quality, Safety and Value and/or Regulatory Manager or the Medical Director. The incumbent must have excellent attendance and flexibility in scheduling, must be knowledgeable of computer systems, and must have demonstrated effective coaching and mentoring skills, and must be able to stand, walk, and sit for varied amounts of time. This position offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure Required: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 07:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location: VA Southern Nevada Healthcare Systems, Las Vegas NV Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Travel: None