The Registered Nurse provides care and counseling of persons or in the promotion and maintenance of health and prevention of illness and injury based upon the nursing process which includes systematic data gathering, assessment, appropriate nursing judgment, and evaluation of human responses to actual or potential health problems through such services as case finding, health teaching, health counseling; provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being. 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: At least 4-5 years of nursing practice, previous experience with hospital accreditation surveys. 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: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing (1 - 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 4 hours); Standing (up to 4 hours); Repeated bending (up to 2 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted). ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Quality Management (QM) Accreditation Specialist is a licensed registered nurse who meets the educational, experiential, and competency requirements defined in the Nurse Standards with demonstrated knowledge and skills related to clinical and nursing practice. The RN provides clinical and administrative recommendations relative to the implementation of program initiatives, end related application of quality management, accreditation and other external standards within the medical center. The incumbent is responsible for the management of accreditation activities for the medical center and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) which encompasses planning, organizing, directing, and overseeing accreditation and other external surveys and site visits such as: Joint Commission, CAP, OIG, OMI, etc. Incumbent coordinates the medical center's Periodic Performance Review for the Joint Commission, coordinates post-survey requirements such as Evidence of Standards Compliance and Measures of Success, oversees an external review data base and monitors actions related to recommendations from external review bodies including the Joint Commission, CARF, CAP, OIG, OMI, etc., and assures that communications from external review bodies are disseminated to management officials on a timely basis.The incumbent functions in an independent and objective manner that contributes to the fulfillment of the Medical Center's mission and vision by having oversight over system wide policies and procedures. The RN contributes to departmental and/or facility policy development, planning, and evaluation that affect the delivery and quality of care provided. The incumbent collaborates with all Quality Management staff to promote quality and facilitate consistency in performance improvements efforts. QM activities may also include Risk Management, Patient Safety, Utilization Management, and Performance Measures. The incumbent also serves as a resource for clinical and ethical issues. The QM Accreditation Specialist: Provides consultation/collaboration and guidance in accreditation standards and quality management (QM), principles, systems, and processes for the improvement of patient care. Assists hospital staff to identify accreditation QM issues and promote systematic process for problem analysis. Initiates/coordinates interdisciplinary projects/teams to improve patient care delivery and organizational systems. Plans and directs timely follow up of review findings Shares expertise with hospital employees using a variety of educational, collaborative and collegial formats. Collects and analyzes data and develops reports to appropriately disseminate programmatic findings and recommendations. Demonstrates effective communication skills and interpersonal relationships in working with both committees and individuals. Collaborates with medical center leadership in making decisions and developing/implementing action plans throughout the medical center. Interprets rules and regulations and have a broad knowledge of VHA regulations, Joint Commission, and other applicable Federal and State requirements in order to provide accurate information for management and clinicians regarding accreditation standards and quality management related issues. Chairs or serves as a member of committees and task forces related to performance improvement functions. Provides leadership and expertise to committees, task forces, as well as project assignments, developing data, forming plans and preparing positions paper that impact on planning and quality and performance management as a whole. Serves as a liaison to the Joint Commission and other external review groups and provides direct staff support to service chiefs, and others in planning, designing, integrating, implementing, modifying, and evaluating the effectiveness of program components and/or services to improve the quality of patient care and the appropriateness and timeliness of services provided. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to manage the program requirements including sound managerial skills to establish priorities and accomplish the tasks. Work Schedule: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday- Friday (Tour of duty subject to change based on agency needs) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
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.
