The Quality and Patient Safety, Chief is an advanced healthcare executive who executes responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and innovative approaches in the guidance and direction of a variety of complex patient care programs and services. They function as a leader, administrator, and consultant accountable to the Medical Center leadership with authority broad enough to improve care for Veterans through their influence over policy development and decisions.
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.) 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. The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse V: Scope: Practice of an executive nature, comprised of complex leadership and administrative components, associated with critical health care issues and activities that drive meeting the organizational mission, health care and policy. Education: Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) and 5 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and 5 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse IV and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse V. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Dimension Requirements: Leadership. Establishes the strategic direction for health care delivery, evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models. Creates a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the organization or enterprise level. Business Acumen. Transforms health care through the application of new processes, technology, informatics, data analytics, business principles, systems thinking and resource management at the organization or enterprise level. Inspiring an Industry-Leading Culture. Establishes an industry leading, shared decision-making culture; a diverse and inclusive workforce that serves Veterans, families, and caregivers of all backgrounds; builds trust and cultural competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the organization and enterprise level. Communication and Relationship Management. Drives the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional and organizational values, beliefs, and practices at the organizational or enterprise level. Professional and Social Responsibility. Sets the standard for a culture of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the organization or enterprise level. Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans, the community, and the health care industry. Preferred Qualifications/Experience: Experience in a Quality Management position for at least the past two years is highly desired. CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) certification. DNP or PhD preferred. 3 years of progressive leadership experience as a senior nurse leader with clinical and administrative oversight for a full range of areas (including inpatient, outpatient care ). Administrative/Process improvement experience and exposure to VISN/National partnership forums/collaboratives/committees. 5 years Quality, Safety, and Improvement Experience Current certification as a Nurse Executive Board Certification (NE-BC) or Nurse Executive, Advanced Board Certification(NEA-BC) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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. Mechanical lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.
This position is open to both Registered Nurses and Physicians. If you are a: Registered Nurse, apply to VIN: 12730618 Physician, apply to VIN: 12728692 Note: Only 1 (one) selection will be made. The Nurse V Quality and Patient Safety, Chief is of an executive nature, comprised of complex leadership and administrative components associated with significant health care issues and activities that influence the organizational mission, health care, and national policy VA.The Quality and Patient Safety, Chief is a member of the Medical Center's Executive Leadership Team (ELT). The Quality and Patient Safety, Chief is a catalyst for the integration and collaboration of with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of optimal Veteran-driven organizational goals at the Medical Center level.Major duties include, but are not limited to: Strategic planning, performance measures, organizational assessment, quality outcomes, and facility program development. Participate with the ELT and strategic thought leaders in Medical Center to initiate and execute planning and decision-making processes for their program. Authority and responsibility for establishing standards of quality across all levels of the health care system ensuring quality of care across the Medical Center. Exercise authority and approval for Medical Center policy, practices, and the standards to measure, assess, and improve patient outcomes. Appropriately delegates activities to those staff within the Quality Management (QM) Program under their purview. Planning and managing effective processes that support an effective ongoing accreditation cycle for all services provided as required by VHA Directives such as The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Responsible to support a system-wide continuous readiness framework for the maintenance of full accreditation by identifying risks and supporting mitigations and processes to effectively address identified standards non-compliance through corrective actions. Manage all phases of inspections and reviews from inception to report closure by internal and external regulatory agencies such as but not limited to The Office of Healthcare Inspections, Office of the Medical Inspector, VA Office of Inspector General, or contracted vendor surveys for specialized areas such as the community living centers. Provides management of the Quality and Patient Safety department programs that support the healthcare system in risk identification and mitigation for clinical services through patient safety and risk management programs, surgical quality audits, controlled substances programs and performance improvement programs among other programs and initiatives. Champions a High Reliability Organization (HRO) within their area of responsibility founded on a collective mindfulness approach to develop evidence-based health care solutions that promote a culture of prevention and safety and a healthy work environment through the implementation of shared decision-making, a spirit of inquiry and an academic environment supportive of education and research. VA 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: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday; 7:30AM - 4:00PM. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized