Functions as an advanced clinician and executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, creative approaches to management of complex patient care. Assesses, plans, implements, evaluates delivery of care based on age specific components. Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for a group of patients. Responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level. Program/service level outcomes must be broad and complex.
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/12808147. 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/. Preferred Experience: MSN with 3-5 years of nursing experience (Preferred) Prior experience in patient safety, quality management, risk management, or clinical leadership Must be familiar with Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Healthcare failure mode and effects analysis Certification (Preferred) Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) or certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) Will conduct/oversee RCAs aggregate reviews and proactive risk assessments Must analysis data for Event Reporting Systems (i.e. joint patient safety Reporting - JPSR) Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care dutiesperformed by nurses such as potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, sitting, stooping, moderate lifting, or kneeling (VA Qualification Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer) . Examples may include but are not limited to: 1. Reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching. 2. Assisting patients and moving equipment, repeated bending, pushing, and/or pulling. 3. Significant amounts of time standing while assisting assigned patients. 4. Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols. 5. Visual acuity and keen hearing. 6. Manual dexterity. 7. Possible exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don personal protective clothing in isolation situations. 8. Operative/invasive procedures. 9. Exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or mental health disorders. 10. Employee must complete employee health requirements as directed.
The Patient Safety Manager (PSM) Registered Nurse (RN) executes the position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership; detailed planning; professional communication; creative and innovative approaches to the improvement of patient safety/healthcare program development; possess an ability to organize priorities; meet deadlines; provide in-person, telephonic and electronic professional presentations; demonstrate the ability to work independently. The PSM functions as the lead manager and implementer of patient safety policies and activities developed by the National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) and is the facility's key person to help build and implement patient safety systems and promote safety within Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities and for VA patients in all healthcare settings. Direct support is provided to the development, maintenance, and operation of the VHA's patient safety process at the facility level. This includes working with all levels of staff within the facility, including top-level management, Root Cause Analysis (RCA) team members, RCA team leaders, and RCA recorders. Must have the attitude that building safety is paramount and the foundation upon which safe operations are based. This takes time to build and requires constant nurturing and reinforcement to maintain. The PSM collaborates with, teams, and directs patient safety activities of personnel within the facility, such as infection control professionals, risk managers and quality managers. Responsible for translating the policies, theories, and strategies into action within the complex interrelationships that exist related to patient safety. They have the primary responsibility for training and implementing patient safety and RCA process to clinicians, management, and all relevant support personnel within their facilities and associated facilities and operations (i.e., home care). The PSM is responsible for maintaining clear communication between the facility and NCPS, both to communicate relevant patient safety information and lessons learned from the facility which have potential impact beyond the local level and to understand changes at the national level in the Patient Safety Program. Performs duties directly contributing to the administrative management of a health care delivery system. Duties require the ability to apply the specialized principles and practices of health care management in directing or supporting a health care delivery system. Responsible for participating within unit based and/or organizational level Shared Governance councils, utilizing clinical expertise, evidence-based practice, and knowledge to assist with finding solutions to problems or issues to improve the quality care provided to our veterans. 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 - Friday, 07:30am - 4:00pm. Compressed/Flexible: This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, such as irregular tours of duty (i.e. nights/weekends) and may require up to twenty-five (25) percent travel from duty stations to other sites/CBOCs as appropriate to provide direct patient care, training needs, or emergency situations (i.e. hurricanes, floods, pandemic etc.). Telework: Ad-Hoc Only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized to highly qualified candidate. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.