Summary

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties

Major Duties include, but are not limited to: The Patient Safety Manager Registered Nurse executes the position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership; detailed planning; professional communication; creative and innovative approaches to the improvement of patient safety/healthcare program development; possess an ability to organize priorities; meet deadlines; provide in-person, telephonic and electronic professional presentations; demonstrate the ability to work independently.

Functions as the lead in the implementation of patient safety policies and activities developed by the National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) and is the facility's key person to help build and implement patient safety systems and promote safety within Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities and for VA patients in all healthcare settings. Works with all levels of staff within the facility, including top-level management. Must have the attitude that building safety is paramount and the foundation upon which safe operations are based.

Assists with, trains, and directs patient safety activities of personnel within the facility, such as infection control professionals, risk managers and quality managers. Collaborates with all other services throughout the healthcare system as we implement RCA actions and outcome measures. Responsible for maintaining clear communication between the facility and NCPS, both to communicate relevant patient safety information and lessons learned from the facility which have potential impact beyond the local level and to understand changes at the national level in the Patient Safety Program.

Responsibilities will encompass and manage confidential, sensitive, and protected information and materials including but not limited to patient records, and administrative investigations, Root Cause Analyses, Patient Safety Incidents, etc. Disseminating Patient Safety Alerts, Patient Safety Advisories and Patient Safety Notices to the individuals identified in each document and ensuring documentation that actions and recommendations within Patient Safety Alerts, Patient Safety Advisories and Patient Safety Notices have been acknowledged and completed.

Exercise independent judgment to guide executive leadership, & managers on Patient Safety related information, actions, plans and follow-up. Plan, attend, Chair, lead meetings that involve policy decision making and input to leadership and related stakeholders(e.g., DBRS committee, ETAT Committee, MHEOCC committee, Patient Safety committees, etc.) This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments. All other duties as 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
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

Preferred Experience:

3-5 years as an RN

Physical Requirements:

This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care, and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. Examples may include but are not limited to: - Significant amounts of time standing assisting patients - Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable or working effectively in stressful situation, able to shift priorities based on needs of the organization.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.