Registered Nurse - Assistant Chief Nurse Quality Safety Service

Full Job Description

The Assistant Chief Nurse, Quality Service (QS), serves as lead Patient Safety Manager (PSM), executes leadership characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for integrated Quality, Patient Safety, and Risk Management, within the organization.

The Assistant Chief is responsible for the oversight and implementation of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Veterans Integrated Systems Network (VISN) 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/12889408.

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/.

Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with direct patient care duties performed 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: Reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching. Assisting patients and moving equipment, repeated bending, pushing, and/or pulling.

Significant amounts of time standing while assisting assigned patients. Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols. Visual acuity and keen hearing. Manual dexterity.

Possible exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don personal protective clothing in isolation situations. Operative/invasive procedures.

Exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or mental health disorders. Employee must complete employee health requirements as directed.

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 the duty station to other sites/CBOCs as appropriate to provide direct patient care, training needs, or emergency situations (i.e.

hurricanes, floods, pandemic, etc.) Major Duties:

To apply for this position and received eligibility consideration, you MUST submit a complete application package, (See Required Documents Section) VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Primary Duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for translating the policies, theories, and strategies into action within the complex interrelationships that exist related to patient safety and NCPS.

The Assistant Chief has primary responsibility for training clinicians, management, and all relevant support personnel within their facility on the Patient Safety Program and patient safety analysis processes.

They collaborate with and provide expertise to healthcare executives throughout the healthcare continuum.

They will collaborate with facilities across the Network to ensure national program goals are met.

The Assistant Chief is responsible for maintaining clear communication between the facility, NCPS, and the VISN to communicate relevant patient safety information and promote organizational learning.

The Assistant Chief is responsible for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines, influence organizational mission and health care, and responsibility for outcomes.

Assistant Chief/PSM performs duties that directly contribute to improving care for patients through developing and implementing strategies in collaboration with leaders and staff within the facility, the Veterans Integrated Service Network, National Program Offices, and others.

(S)/He influences the organizational mission and the quality of health care provided by the organization.

This position is responsible for functioning as the acting Deputy Chief (or Chief), Quality Systems Service in the absence of the Deputy Chief/Chief and includes supervisory responsibilities to areas of QSS oversight including, but not limited to, Performance lmprovement / EPRP, Risk Management, Patient Safety, Accreditation, Cancer Registry, Systems Redesign, HRO, and other program areas.

The Assistant Chief has direct program responsibility for QSS Patient Safety and Risk Management programs and has direct line communication with executive leadership and the director for all Patient Safety responsibilities.

The Assistant Chief facilitates and supervises the Patient Safety staff for the promotion of a culture of safety in the organization.

The Assistant Chief works in concert with leaders and others to sustain a culture of safety, modeling High Reliability Organization (HRO) practices, such as patient safety forums.

The Assistant Chief ensures training and patient safety activities of personnel within the facility, such as infection control professionals, risk managers, and quality managers.

The Assistant Chief performs duties directly contributing to high quality and safe patient care within the BPVAHCS.

Duties require the ability to apply specialized principles and practices of patient safety science to ensure a systems approach to healthcare delivery.

The Assistant Chief directly supports facility leadership in areas of planning, organization, development, direction, and evaluation of the patient safety program within the facility.

The Assistant Chief effectively sets group goals and keeps self and team informed of the latest trends developments. Inspires the cooperation and confidence of others.

Demonstrates a high level of expertise. Meets the needs of all customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions.

Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.

Provides the customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.

Preferred Experience: Masters Degree Work Schedule: Full time, Tour of Duty 7:30 am to 4:00 pm; Flexibility is required in schedule and assignments to ensure coverage for the operations of the facility.

Telework: Yes - Ad-Hoc as determined by the agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Yes- highly qualified applicants may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorize PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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