The Nursing Excellence/ Performance Improvement RN is a registered professional nurse responsible for leading and coordinating activities related to performance improvement and shared governance. The Registered Nurse will collaborate with nursing staff and nursing administration to create a culture dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and synergy. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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 in project management (preferred) Experience in compiling and analyzing data BSN or MSN preferred Proficient in Microsoft (excel, word, power point) Demonstrates knowledge of nurse sensitive indicators 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. The RN may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/ invasive procedures. The RN may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia or psychiatric disorders. The RN 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 environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes fast paced, requiring handling of multiple priorities, frequent, sometimes intense customer interactions, and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a noisy environment. ["The Nursing Excellence/ Performance Improvement RN is accountable for the management of data to support program planning, policy development, long-term strategic planning and setting of goals. The RN must demonstrate excellent role modeling behaviors, experience in project management, strategic planning, marketing, analytical and program development skills, excellence in writing, reporting and speaking, and knowledge of accrediting standards. Responsible for providing leadership for Patient Care Service in the aspects of assessment, measurement, and process improvement with regards to patient care and organizational functions. Will develop and coordinate Patient Care Service Performance Improvement Plan. Will provide active support at the unit level, the service level, and the organizational level. Responds on site in real time as incidents occur to investigate and prepare follow-up reports during administrative hours; follows-up next administrative day on occurrences during non-administrative tours. Tracks, analyzes, and trends process activities in patient care and organizational functions. Manages processes related to root cause analysis actions, peer review actions, process actions, LEAN actions, EPRP monitors, and employee surveys. Works in collaboration with the Accreditation Coordinator for tracers and chart reviews. Rounds daily to monitor restraint usage and falls; investigates each incident. Works with staff at the unit-level on PI issues and creates and maintains the quarterly and annual dashboards for the units. Serves as the PCS Service Recovery Contact. Prepares the annual Nursing Outcomes report. Provides administrative direction for the Shared Governance model. Serves as a professional advisor to all nursing councils. Provides oversight to create a Nursing newsletter in collaboration with the Shared Governance Councils, and others as needed. Promotes Nursing Excellence through the process of Shared Governance. Provides a segment of nursing orientation of new staff regarding the Shared Governance model and performance improvement activities. Prepares, analyzes and interprets data, and prepares progress reports related to nursing quality as required. Collaborates with nursing leadership and the inter professional team to evaluate delivery of care. Develops written reports related to assessments and recommends change in the clinical practice environment. Plans strategies, initiates performance improvement at all levels within the organization. Applies creative techniques to motivate staff to improve knowledge, skill, and patient care interventions inclusive of research, evidence, and best practice. Develops strategic and tactical plans related to nursing excellence. Coordinates, supports, and collaborates routinely with nursing leadership concerning gaps with ongoing analysis and any recommendations pertinent to the efficient operation of nursing departments. Demonstrates leadership skills including willingness to accept increasing levels of accountability, comfort with decision-making responsibilities, coaching and teaching in collaboration with executive leadership. Prepares and presents annual Nursing Report to include the annual goals and achievements that have had any impact on any patients, the community, organizations and/or the nursing profession Performs all other duties as requested or assigned 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 - Friday 0730 - 1600 with occasional rotation to off tours and weekends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
