The registered nurse functions as a patient safety expert for the VA Western Colorado Health Care System, under the direction of the Patient Safety Manager (PSM) and with the support and direct responsibility to the Chief of Quality, Safety, and Value (QSV). The registered nurse will be a key person to help build and implement patient safety systems and promote a just culture of safety for patients and staff members in all settings.

Duties

Major Duties include, but are not limited to: Works with all levels of staff, including top-level management, and directing various patient safety activities such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Healthcare Failure Mode Effects Analysis (HFMEA) teams. Function as a patient safety expert for the VA Western Colorado Health Care System, under the direction of the Patient Safety Manager (PSM) and with the support and direct responsibility to The Chief of Quality, Safety, and Value (QSV) Point of contact for patient safety policies and activities developed by the National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) for the health care facility Work with the PSM to help build and implement patient safety systems and promote a just culture of safety for VA patients and staff members in all settings Work with all levels of staff within the facility, including top-level management and patient safety teams Direct various patient safety activities throughout the facility including coordinating and serving as the 'recorder or advisor' for Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Teams and Healthcare Failure Mode Effects Analysis (HFMEA) teams Monitor implementation of RCA Action Plans approved by the Medical Center Director Collaborate with and direction from the PSM and the QSV Chief, aide in the development, maintenance, and operation of the VHA's patient safety program at the facility level Responsible for translating VHA policies, theories, and strategies into action within the complex interrelationships that exist related to patient safety Assist the survey preparedness team in translating VHA, regulatory and accrediting body standards, policies, and strategies into action, providing guidance and support to various levels of leadership Provide support during external surveys and participates in continual survey readiness activities, as requested and as required by the program Responsible for maintaining clear communication and a positive relationship with other departments and agencies, both within and outside of the VA Works within the understanding of clinical treatment modalities, organization and administration of the VA Health Care delivery systems, educational principles, clinical information systems, accreditation and regulatory standards, High Reliability Organization Principles, Just Culture Principles, Patient Safety principles, clinical improvement, and Lean Principles Apply all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting, which will then enable effective implementation of health promotion and prevention practices; management of acute and chronic illnesses; also includes demonstration of knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of patients served in the assigned area of practice Communicate and interact appropriately with all internal and external customers and to maintain confidentiality of electric, written, and/or verbal patient/employee information 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 to Friday, 8:00am-1630 Telework: Only Ad-Hoc at Management Discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: Experience with Root Cause Analysis (RCAs) and Healthcare Failure Mode Effects Analysis (HFMEAs), High Reliability Organization Principles, Just Culture Principles, Patient Safety principles, and process/clinical improvement principles. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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 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. The incumbent 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-vehicles.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA Western Colorado Health Care System 2121 North Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501 US
• Name: Mirasol Smith
• Phone: 708-202-8665
• Email: [email protected]