Summary

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) QVP program coordinator (RN) will provide continuous support for patient safety and quality improvement activities/data within OCL. The candidate is expected to have documented experience in quality improvement and patient safety as well as experience in coordinating related activities. This candidate should also have the ability to gather and analyze QI data from relevant databases and present findings/actions before leadership committees/meetings.

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
• Preferred Experience: Registered Nurse with over three years of experience of which at least 1 year in quality improvement and patient safety
• 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/13089691
• 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: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds) - light carrying - under 15 pounds - straight pulling (4 hours) - pushing (4 hours) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking (8 hours) - standing (8 hours) - repeated bending (8 hours) - both legs required - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic colors - ability to distinguish shades of colors - hearing (aid may be permitted) - constant noise - dust - slippery or uneven waling surfaces - working with hands in water - working closely with others.

Duties

• The primary role for the ACS QVP QI & PS Coordinator would be but is not limited to: Assist Surgical Quality Officer (SQO) with American College of Surgeons (ACS) Quality Verification Program (QVP) maintenance of certification on ongoing basis (administrative and other support - including chart reviews - preparation of documents and presentations - organization of meetings etc.) Communicate with ACS with ongoing needs of MEDVAMC
• Collect data and reports from all sources of quality and patient safety information at MEDVAMC (VASQIP - SAIL - JPSR - Patient satisfaction surveys - etc.) and prepare unified report for Operative Care Line (OCL) Executive and SQO regularly
• Facilitate Quality Improvement projects within and across all disciplines of OCL
• This may include coordination of the Frailty Board for surgical patients (major quality improvement and patient safety initiative of MEDVAMC and VHA) - conducting OCL-wide Quality Improvement (QI) projects
• Offer access to hospital-level resources on QI
• Help coordinate projects initiated by different providers in different Sections of OCL
• Collect data on predetermined outcome measures - analyze and present to OCL Executive - Chiefs - SQO
• Serve as primary administrative point of contact within hospital for OCL as it relates to Patient Safety and Quality
• Direct communications to the appropriate person in leadership within OCL - depending on the issue
• Applies advanced clinical knowledge/judgement to lead staff involvement in planning - decision-making - and evaluation outcomes
• Applies nursing expertise to lead improvement - with demonstrated outcomes
• Leads initiatives to improve the Veteran Experience
• Leads staff to identify - analyze and address quality and safety issues that impact patients - caregivers and staff
• Models' high reliability principles and I CARE values
• Demonstrates positive - effective communication skills - professional behaviors and leadership
• Actively participates in healthcare facility or service-level quality and safety committees or councils
• 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: 7:30am- 4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm
• Subject to change based upon the facility's needs
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized