Registered Nurse (Admin)

Full Job Description

The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System, Harlingen, TX is seeking a full-time Registered Nurse (Admin) responsible and accountable for the Patient Safety Program.

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/12885530.

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: 2-3 years' Experience with accreditation and regulatory standards 2-3 years' Experience with Joint Commission Standards and National Patient Safety Goals 1-2years Experience with review and aggregation of quality data for trends and intervention 1-2 years Patient Safety experience Knowledgeable/familiar with High Reliability Organization (HRO) and Just Culture 1-2 years' experience with Root Cause Analysis, HFMEAs, Joint Patient Safety Reporting Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35·pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently, moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care, pulling for 8 to 12 hours intermittently, pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently, reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both hands required, walking 8-12 hours, intermittently, standing 8-12 hours intermittently, kneeling 8 to 12 hours, intermittently, repeated bending for 8-12 hours, intermittently, climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both legs required, near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing aid permitted, twisting, simple grasp and fine manipulation.

Major Duties:

The Registered Nurse (Admin) collaborates with the Patient Safety Manager to design, communicate, evaluate and maintain the Patient Safety Program.

Duties will also include the following: - Collects, reviews, and analyzes outcome data through interview, medical record review, and analysis of aggregate data.

Reports the status of aggregated data and trends noted to appropriate committees, staff, or designated agencies.

- Assesses care provided to Veterans and identifies opportunities for improvement in systems and processes.

Documents and communicates outcomes/trends and quality management priorities to appropriate committees and/or leadership.

- Communicates and submits Product Recalls/Patient Safety Alerts & Notices actions in a timely manner. - Reviews incident reports and assigns Reviewers appropriately.

- Assists in running a daily JPSR report for the Patient Safety Manager, Chief of QSV, and Executive Leadership Team. - Completes Reporter Notification Letters accurately and timely.

- Assesses the Patient Safety program activities and functions to maintain consistency with the philosophy and objectives of the program, the service, and the health care system.

Provides training and information to care providers related to - T JC National Patient Safety Goals, OIG, and other external reviews. - Serves as a trusted resource for system committees.

Follows policy for forwarding ethical issues to the Integrated Ethics Committee. - Ensures RCA data/report is entered into WebSPOT accurately and in a timely manner.

- Completes required National Center for Patient Safety reports and places into Salesforce in a timely manner.

- Provides training and education to all staff ensuring compliance with Patient Safety policies, procedures, standards and programs.

- Assists with training of staff about patient safety related issues, RCA "Just in Time" trainings, and the RCA process.

- Actively participates and supports the service and the system in long-range planning activities including assuming role responsibilities related to continued development of a culture of safety.

- Completes annual mandatory reviews as well as competencies and continuing learning requirements for Patient Safety.

- Serves as a resource for patient safety data and meets all deadlines for information/data.

- Serves as a consultant on Patient Safety and HRO initiatives for clinical and performance improvement activities - Assists with audits/observations and updating the National Patient Safety Goal dashboard.

Reports and shares findings with various committees. - Acts as a consultant for the Patient Safety Program and systems and processes effecting the safety and well-being of Veterans.

Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00 am to 04:30 pm VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Telework: Available for Ad-hoc Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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