Registered Nurse (RN) - Patient Safety (PS)/High Reliability Organization (HRO)

Summary

The Registered Nurse (RN) - Patient Safety (PS)/High Reliability Organization (HRO) is responsible for ensuring that the PS/HRO Programs align with the VHA Directive 1050.01 and National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) guidance. The incumbent of this position is also responsible for initiating the HRO and Just Culture environment across clinical and administrative areas using Lean/System Redesign methods.

Learn more about this agency

This job is open to

The public

U. S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U. S.

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency

Area of considerations: 1. Current, permanent employees of the Tomah VA Medical Center and its outreach facilities including CBOCs, VCS and OCC employees. 2. Current, permanent employees of the VA Nationwide. 3. U. S. Citizens NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

Duties

This is not a remote position!

The Registered Nurse (RN) - Patient Safety (PS)/High Reliability Organization (HRO) is responsible for coordinating education activities with key stakeholders to support the Quality, Safety, Value (QSV) enterprise framework. The RN in this role is also responsible for the documented outcomes of the PS/HRO programs. This RN is expected to demonstrate sound decision-making and judgment while possessing excellent interpersonal skills as well. They are expected to collaborate with members of the interdisciplinary team and lead to process improvement initiatives.

The RN - PS/HRO is also responsible for the following

duties

• Collecting data, analyzing data, and identifying trends to facilitate process improvements.

• Monitoring the effectiveness and sustainability of action plans

• Using Lean Principles and Quality Improvement methods across the Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) to enhance Veteran care and foster a Just Culture environment.

• Collaborating with the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) and its facilities to support the PS and HRO Programs.

• Providing assistance and coverage to the Patient Safety Manager, when requested.

• Functioning as a consultant for patient safety policies and activities guided by NCPS, associated policies, and VHA Directives.

• Conducting and providing education and/or guidance on program requirements, RCAs, and accreditation standards.

• Assigning and reviewing Patient Safety Reporting systems and HRO principles/standards.

• Functioning as the program expert and using clinical knowledge/judgement to promote staff involvement in planning, decision-making, and evaluating outcomes.

• Providing clear communication as facility liaison between VISN and the NCPS to provide appropriate guidance to requesting departments.

• Developing and coordinating internal review systems to assure that both clinical and administrative PS/HRO activities remain compliant with agency accrediting, and regulatory requirements.

• Other duties, as assigned.

The PS/HRO RN is aligned to the Quality Management (QM) department, which is aligned under the Executive Director. The PS/HRO RN will directly report to the Director of QM.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards

Paid Time Off: Up to 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

Full-time (1 FTE); 0800 - 1630, Tour of Duty (TOD) may change due to facility needs

Telework: Ad-hoc only, as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U. S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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/13076999.

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.

Preferred

Experience

• MSN or BSN is highly preferred.

• 3-5 years of nursing experience preferred.

• Demonstrated experience with Patient Safety and accreditation.

• Demonstrated abilities in being flexible with workloads, prioritizing tasks, paying attention to detail, communicating effectively, using critical thinking skills, and promoting teamwork and collaboration.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical

Requirements

This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties by nurses such as direct patient care, and potentially…