Registered Nurse - High Reliability Organization Lead (HRO)

Full Job Description

The High Reliability Organization Lead RN (HRO) is a professional nurse who is responsible and accountable for implementing a plan that ensure that Veteran will continually receive care with the highest safety standards, standardized processes, and comprehensive plans.

The Lead RN-HRO demonstrates performance and leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. 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/12894442.

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: 1. Reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching. 2. Assisting patients and moving equipment, repeated bending, pushing, and/or pulling. 3.

Significant amounts of time standing while assisting assigned patients. 4. Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols. 5. Visual acuity and keen hearing. 6. Manual dexterity. 7.

Possible exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don personal protective clothing in isolation situations. 8. Operative/invasive procedures. 9.

Exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or mental health disorders. 10. Employee must complete employee health requirements as directed. 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: The HRO RN is responsible for documented outcomes at the program or service level.

The HRO Nurse III is a professional nurse who serves as a catalyst for strong, safe clinical processes across the medical center.

Uses Patient Safety, Systems Redesign (Lean) and Quality Improvement skills to foster the development of an HRO at the unit/service/medical center level.

The incumbent actively goes out to clinical care areas and works with individual staff, teams, and services to improve safety, quality, and efficiency of care.

The activities of the HRO Lead not only strengthen patient care but also promote the development of a Just Culture at the unit/service/medical center levels.

The HRO RN works collaboratively with VISN and Facility Leadership and HRO workgroups in the implementation of HRO principles/activities across the network.

The HRO Lead RN is a subject matter expert (SME) on the topic of high reliability. The RN will serve as a member of the VISN HRO workgroup.

The RN implements key elements key elements of the HRO strategic plan across the network.

Regular guidance, oversight, and formal meetings with facility HRO workgroups is the responsibility of the HRO Lead.

The RN will communicate regularly with the National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) and participate in the VISN HRO workgroup monthly calls with NCPS.

The HRO Lead RN will conduct or participate in facility site visits conducted by the VISN and/or NCPS to review and promote HRO activities.

The RN will assist in the implementation of the VISN, and facility patient safety program as outlined by NCPS and VHA Handbook 1050.01.

The RN HRO Lead will assist in the implementation and sustainment of a robust Root Cause Analysis (RCA) program.

Implementation and sustainment of a Just Culture at the VISN and Facility level is a must.

The HRO Lead RN will review/analyze pertinent VISN and facility data from available sources related to the Patient Safety Program and additional HRO activities for the purposes of improvement.

The RN will spread best practices across the network and conduct ongoing HRO educational activities.

In addition, the HRO Lead: Breaks down silos between services to ensure development of strong patient care processes.

Works with QM, PSM, SR to identify vulnerabilities and develop processes and programs that advance Patient Care across the continuum.

Works with Clinical Teams to develop and implement strategies for improved patient safety and patient care. Puts Veterans as the focus of all process innovation and change.

Shares lessons learned from group to group. Assists the Medical Center in implementing priority sections of the HRO Toolkit.

The incumbent handles conflict and problems in dealing with any consumer group appropriately and in a constructive manner.

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