RN - Performance Improvement Coordinator

Full Job Description

One vacancy is available for a Registered Nurse, Performance Improvement Coordinator in the Nursing, Acute Care department of the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Decatur, Georgia.

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/12897287.

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: Satisfactory physical examination as determined by the Employee Health Unit upon appointment only.

The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over.

The VA Medical Center is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients.

There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with admissions for medical co-morbidities.

This position requires visual acuity (glasses permitted), keen hearing (hearing aid permitted), clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.

This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking (up to 8 hours), standing (up to 8 hours), stooping, sitting, bending (up to 8 hours), pulling, and pushing.

Light lifting under 15 lbs. Light carrying 15-44 lbs. Transferring patients and objects may be required.

The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.

Use of rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. 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.

Preferred Experience: RN license already established Masters in Nursing Degree Minimum of 5 years of acute nursing or critical care nursing Experience in Quality Improvement, data analysis, or performance management Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills Major Duties:

Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to management of complex patient care.

Accountable for individual nursing practice and determines the appropriate delegation of tasks consistent with the RN's obligation to provide optimal care.

Focus is on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self-direction. Ability to formulate a plan of care based on nursing assessments.

Seeks guidance on how to improve care provided to patients and families. Delegates elements of care to appropriate individuals based on assessed needs, condition, and safety of patient.

Brings principles and theory with application of critical thinking skills. Supports RN leadership in advancing clinical quality and patient safety within the Acute care setting.

Responsible for coordinating performance improvement activities, analyzing data to identify trends, and leading initiatives that enhance patent outcomes and nursing practice.

Coordinate/facilitate quality and performance improvement projects within acute care nursing units.

Collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify opportunities for improvement in patient care and clinical processes.

Collaborate with Nursing staff, physicians, and interdisciplinary teams to implement evidence-based improvement strategies.

Ensure compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and organizational quality standards. Conduct root cause analyses, develop action plans, and monitor outcomes to ensure sustained improvement.

Prepare and present performance reports, dashboards, and recommendations to nursing and VAMC leadership.

Support staff education and training on quality improvement principles and patient safety initiatives.

Manage/participate in processes related to root cause analysis actions, peer review actions, process actions, LEAN actions, External Peer Review Program (EPRP) monitors, Inpatient Evaluation Center (IPEC) monitors, Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning (SAIL) data, tracers, chart reviews, and environment of care surveillance and employee surveys.

Work in collaboration with the Accreditation Coordinator for tracers and chart reviews.

Work with staff at the unit level on performance improvement (PI) issues and create and maintain the quarterly and annual dashboards for the units.

Assist in developing Quality Improvement processes to meet the expectations of The Joint Commission (TJC), VHA Headquarters, Office of the Medical Inspector (OMI), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), and other organizations.

Collaborate with department leaders to develop and track action plans. Ensure compliance with organizational policies, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.

Prepare reports and presentations summarizing progress and outcomes of improvement initiatives.

Support facility activities in the coordination and development of data collection and analysis techniques, primarily in the areas of specific Performance Measures and Performance Improvement Indicators.

Conduct various patient care studies based on areas assigned, including review of patient incident report reviews, medical reviews for evidence of required documentation as well as the quality and care provided.

Conduct tracers, operational assessments and participate in the design of special studies to define the cause and scope of issues or trends and assists in the identification of appropriate criteria for problem resolution.

Review service/section/committee meetings for results of assessments and improvement activities including conclusions, recommendations, actions and evaluations.

Collaborate with management team to ensure the education of staff, both in facility orientation of employees on performance improvement and in specific training for those involved in the performance improvement activities within services, on hospital Quality Improvement committees and/or within process action teams.

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: 7am to 330pm, Monday - Friday, subject to change as facility needs change.

Telework: Ad-hoc :