Summary

The High Reliability Registered Nurse (RN) Coordinator executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups and integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and influence the organizational healthcare mission.

Qualifications

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/12990151
• 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
• To qualify at the Nurse II (VN-02) or Nurse III (VN-03) level - it is preferred the candidate has specialized experience that demonstrates advanced knowledge - skills - abilities - and characteristics required to perform successfully in a High Reliability Officer/Coordinator role comparable to work at the GS-11 or above - and includes: Identifies educational and professional development needs of key staff and healthcare team members - providing instruction and mentorship in high reliability principles and process improvement methodologies (such as Lean - Lean Six Sigma - Systems Redesign) - prepares complete - fully documented studies - reports - and presentations for hospital committees - executive leadership - and clinical services (this includes the use of statistical - graphical - and narrative tools to communicate findings and recommendation) - and acts as a resource and champion for High Reliability Organization (HRO) concepts - fostering a culture of safety - continuous improvement - transparency - and accountability throughout the health care system
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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 patient and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or during procedures
• The incumbent may occasional be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient.

Duties

• The High Reliability RN Coordinator functions as an administrator - educator - and consultant utilizing management theory in collaboration with leadership and other services
• Must establish and maintain effective relationships with all levels of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) personnel and relate effectively with customers - families - and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and Facility levels
• Key relationships with staff are needed to assist nurse managers and advanced practitioners to carry out the functions and activities expected of them - contribute ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care - policies - and objectives for the enhancement of nursing organization-wide - and assist in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs
• The High Reliability RN Coordinator collaborates with both administrative and clinical services to monitor quality and safety within the services and healthcare systems
• Functions as a facilitator in implementing action plans and process improvement strategies at healthcare systems for follow-up - including regular progress reports
• Reviews quality - safety - and value data for trends and early intervention
• Apply clinical performance improvement methods - collect outcome data related to policy - procedure - and regulatory compliance - and in collaboration with senior program officials and executive management - initiates performance improvement monitoring projects
• Utilizes data and comparative analytical processes in recommending design and implementation of innovative programs to improve service excellence - customer satisfaction - and compliance with patient care and regulatory standards
• The High Reliability RN Coordinator supports the integration and collaboration of nursing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of Veteran-driven and organizational goals
• Serves as a member of committees and workgroups as the HRO subject matter expert (SME)
• Coordinates - plans - and implements Facility HRO activities.Implement key elements of the HRO strategic plan across the network
• Provides regular guidance and oversight to the facility-based HRO groups
• Communicate regularly with the National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS)
• Conducts and/or participates in facility site visits conducted by the Facility and/or NCPS to review and promote HRO activities
• Assists in the implementation of the Facility and Facility Patient Safety Program as outlined by NCPS and Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
• Assists in the implementation and sustainment of a robust Root Cause Analysis (RCA) program at each facility
• Assists in the implementation and sustainment of patient safety programs at the Facility and facility level
• Assists in the implementation of Clinical Team Training (CTT) Program requirements at the Facility and facility level
• 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: 8:00a - 4:30p Monday through Friday
• Work schedule subject to change based on agency need
• Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position