SummaryThis position is located at the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans' Hospital in San Antonio, TX and reports to the Chief of Quality and Risk Management, office of Quality and Patient Safety. The Risk Manager Registered Nurse (RN) minimizes the probability of adverse risk to patients, personnel, visitors, and protecting the assets of the facility by proactively identifying, reporting, trending, reviewing, and correcting problems leading to incidents through risk identification and analysis.
DutiesHelp
The RN is in a growth and development practice on assisting Veterans and Active Duty Service members to meet their complex health care needs.
Nurse I, Level 1- Provides fundamental conducting occurrence screen reviews to monitor and evaluate the quality of health care; evaluating episodes of care to determine opportunities for improvement in readmissions and return to surgery during the same episode of care; identifying significant deviations from morbidity/mortality data; identifying negative outcomes that merit peer review; coordinating record review findings with STX Suicide Prevention team.
- Uses clinical knowledge to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of clinical performance within the facility, using data collected by internal/external monitoring processes and relays this information to clinical leadership and senior leaders.
Nurse I, Level 2- The Risk Manager is responsible for ensuring the implementation of a successful risk management program that minimizes the probability of adverse risk to patients, personnel, and visitors, and protecting the assets of the facility by proactively, accurately identifying, reporting, trending, reviewing, and correcting problems leading to incidents through risk identification and analysis.
- The nurse will assist in directing the provision of professional practice using the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation) with general supervision.
- Facilitates recommendations for systems and/or resource changes that will serve to improve the work force and resource utilization.
Nurse I, Level 3- Independently plans and delivers technically competent care, possesses a thorough working knowledge of the directives, policies, and performance standards of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) arm of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Serving as subject matter experts (SME) to the Chief of Staff and all levels of leadership in the PR process.
- Plays a critical support role in developing and coordinating internal review systems to assure that both clinical and administrative activities follow agency accrediting and regulatory requirements.
Nurse II- Provides peers with informal constructive feedback for improvement. Fosters a safe and supportive environment conducive to the professional development of healthcare professionals.
- Leads professional practice using the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation) to improve evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes for an identified patient population and/or specialized areas within immediate practice setting.
- Leads the provision of nursing care to patients with complex care needs utilizing the nursing process in alignment with the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice.
- Applies nursing expertise to lead improvement, with demonstrated outcomes, beyond the immediate practice setting.
Nurse III- The Risk Manager is responsible for ensuring the implementation of a successful risk management program that minimizes the probability of adverse risk to patients, personnel, and visitors, and protecting the assets of the facility by proactively, accurately identifying, reporting, trending, reviewing, and correcting problems leading to incidents through risk identification and analysis.
- Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) on clinical, educational, administrative issues and provides leadership across a range of contexts that contribute to organizational outcomes.comprehensive. Partners with QSV staff and functions to integrate readiness activities (Accreditation, Patient Safety, EPRP, OPPE, System Redesign).
- Uses clinical knowledge to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of clinical performance within the facility, using data collected by internal/external monitoring processes and relays this information to clinical leadership and senior leaders.
- Leads educational initiatives that expand knowledge to improve outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting.
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:Telework: Ad hoc and as determined by the agency only
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
RequirementsHelp
Conditions of employment- U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. May be required, depending on the needs of the organization.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
QualificationsBasic 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/[redacted].
Grade/LevelScopeEducationNurse 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/.
Preferred Experience:- Bachelors or Masters Degree
- 2 years recent experience in a Risk Management role
- 2 years recent experience with Peer Review, Tort claims
- Experience performing detailed audits, identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks that impact patient safety, staff safety, and organizational performance.
- Experience with developing, implementing and sustaining corrective actions to meet accreditation standards and other regulatory requirements.
- 2 years recent Risk Management/Protected Peer Review experience
Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.
EducationThe Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
