Summary

The Registered Nurse - Patient Safety/Risk Manager (Fredericksburg Health Care Center) is responsible for maintaining clear communication between the facility and the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) - and to communicate relevant patient safety and risk information and promote organizational learning and directly supports facility leadership in areas of planning - organization - development - direction - and evaluation of the patient safety and risk programs within the facility.

Qualifications

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/12929957
• 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: Quality Management
• Patient Safety
• Quality Measures
• Accreditation
• Microsoft Office (Excel - PowerPoint - Word)
• Electronic Health Records
• Candidates must demonstrate leadership - extensive experience - and creative approaches to improving patient safety and managing risks
• The ability to apply specialized healthcare delivery principles and practices is essential for both roles
• Effective planning - professional communication skills - and the ability to organize and prioritize tasks are crucial
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• The position requires potentially long periods of combined walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable or working effectively in stressful situation - able to shift priorities based on needs of the organization
• This position may require performing other duties as assigned
• The incumbent who provides off-site training may be required to travel occasionally.

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to: -Manages substantial and continuing responsibility for directing a risk management program that is fully integrated with the patient safety program
• Together they will support the missions - goals and objectives - policies of the Central Virginia VA Health Care System - VISN 6 - and Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
• Patient Safety Manager: -Implement patient safety policies in alignment with National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) guidelines
• -Develop and maintain patient safety systems to promote a culture of safety within Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities
• -Collect - analyze - and report patient safety data to identify trends and areas for improvement
• -Provide staff support in planning - designing - integrating - implementing - modifying - and administering patient safety programs
• -Participate in facility councils - committees - and workgroups focused on patient safety
• -Lead root cause analysis and failure mode effect analysis to identify system vulnerabilities
• -Foster a High Reliability Organization (HRO) culture to sustain and enhance safety practices
• -Maintain effective communication between facility - VISN - and relevant stakeholders on patient safety issues
• -Support facility leadership in the development and evaluation of patient safety initiatives
• -Provide education and training to staff on patient safety practices and policies
• Risk Manager: -Monitor staff compliance with risk management policies - directives - and standards
• -Oversees the administrative tort claim process at the facility level in collaboration with chief - Quality and patient Safety - Regional Counsel - the assistant U.S. Attorney and the Office of Medical Legal Risk Management as appropriate
• -Collects - analyzes - and interprets data to identify the effectiveness of risk management program and identify opportunities for quality/resource improvements across the organization to mitigate risks and prevent adverse events
• -Prepare detailed reports on risk trends and provide recommendations for prevention and management
• -Collaborate with various services within the facility to ensure effective risk management practices
• -Support the development and implementation of a comprehensive quality management program
• -Participate in facility councils - committees - and workgroups focused on risk management
• -Communicate relevant risk management information to facility staff and leadership
• -Work with leaders to plan - organize - and evaluate risk management programs
• 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 through Friday - 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives/Expenses: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized