The Durham VA Health System, has 1 vacancy for a full-time Registered Nurse (Quality Improvement Coordinator). The RN will be fully qualified and certified to function in a clinical role and in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System
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. 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/12781807. 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: 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, lifting and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient 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 be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, 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-vehicle
The Registered Nurse for Quality Improvement/ Safety Coordinator will work in the General Surgery Department. The RN will use clinical knowledge and judgment to improve the quality of care where surgical services and the perioperative care pathway is interrelated in the care of our Veterans. Specific practice settings include Medical-surgical OR/PACU, Critical Care, SICU Ambulatory Care, Acute Care, Emergency Dept., Specialty Clinics and any other area that Surgical services provides clinical care. The RN scope of practice will be to: Maintain a comprehensive Performance Improvement Program to improve the safety of patients, visitors, and staff and identify organizational vulnerabilities and opportunities to improve. Utilize quality improvement and management science practices and tools (Six Sigma, Lean, and others) to guide and monitor the effectiveness of processes implemented in the work environment. Use data to identify and measure performance and opportunities to improve, establish accountability, and monitor progress. Lead programs, teams, and committees and is instrumental in driving improvement and change. Responsibilities Commonly performed duties will include, but not limited to: Managing programmatic issues related to surgical data. Analyzes computer-assisted studies of patient treatment data by procedure and outcome to identify clinical practice and resource patterns and trends. Remains abreast of changes in the management of patient care and quality management activities to meet the requirements of TJC relative to surgical performance improvement. Consistently reviews and participates in weekly periop meeting looking at metrics and systems processes Validates computer entry of data elements related to compliance with communicating abnormal tests results to patients Maintains an information system within the Medical Center as a centralized source of data relating to OPPE/ FPPE for surgeons and APPs Conducts criteria-based clinical record and follow-up reviews for the VA JPSR system Demonstrate proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, and database software. Assists with OIG and Joint Commission Accreditation visits as needed. All other duties as assigned Preferred Qualifications Critical Care or Medical Surgical Experience Minimum of two years of nursing experience in the OR and/or Acute Hospital Setting Facilitating acute care health performance activities teams and managing projects utilizing system re-design principals, performance improvement practices and statistical concepts to meet expected goals Collecting and organizing data into meaningful reports to be presented to leadership to identify and resolve opportunities to meet organizational priorities Interpreting, analyzing and presenting quality data to lead process improvement work to a variety audience Working with The Joint Commission and other external regulatory agencies in analyzing and interpreting findings leading to improvement activities Recent acute hospital experience, preferably the VA system Comprehensive knowledge using lean, six sigma and other Performance Improvement methodologies Preferred Level of Education MSN or BSN with a Master's in a Health Related Field Preferred Certification(s) Six Sigma Lean CPHQ 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: 7:30-4:00pm Monday- Friday Telework: NO Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: NO