This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more 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 the appropriate State-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). 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. 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 year's 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 year's of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 year's of nursing practice/experience. Preferred: Certification from a national quality certifying body is preferred 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: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, kneeling, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or during patient procedures and care. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Use of fingers, both hands, and near and far vision is required. ["The position, as a member of the Quality Management Service (QMS) is responsible for demonstrating leadership, experience, and creative approaches to the execution of program management responsibilities. The QIC is responsible for assisting with the ongoing development, coordination, and implementation of the Medical Center Quality Improvement program and activities. The QIC functions as the lead manager, coordinator, and point of contact for patient safety policies and activities developed by the National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) and compliance with National Patient Safety Goals. Serves as the facility's key person to help build and implement patient safety systems and promote the culture of safety within VA facilities and for VA patients in all health care settings. Performs duties directly contributing to the administrative management of the facility health care delivery system and is responsible for planning, organizing, developing, managing, and evaluating the medical center's patient safety program. These duties require the ability to apply the specialized principles and practices of health care management in leading the facility's patient safety program. The NCPS policies are found in the Patient Safety Handbook (directive), nation-wide patient safety training materials and computer systems, and applicable regulations of the Joint Commission (JC). Direct support is provided to the development, maintenance, and operation of the VHA's patient safety process at the facility level. This includes working with all levels of staff within the facility, including top level management and patient safety teams (e.g., RCA, HCFMEA). The QIC also works with, trains, and coordinates patient safety activities with similar personnel within the facility, i.e., the Risk Manager and the Chief of QMS. The QIC is responsible for translating the policies, theories, and strategies into action within the complex interrelationships that exist related to patient safety. Has primary responsibility for training and implementation of the patient safety, root cause analysis (RCA), and healthcare failure modes and effects analysis (HCFMEA) process to clinicians, management, and all relevant support personnel within their facilities and associated facilities and operations (e.g., home care). 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. The QIC develops programs to ensure that quality provisions are planned, developed, and implemented to identify, prevent, and correct unsatisfactory conditions and elements associated with regulatory/accreditation compliance. The QIC designs, implements, and maintains a system for analyzing, trending, and reporting data. Collaborates, coordinates, and supports other QMS staff, medical center administration, committees, and services to accomplish the mission of the medical center. The QIC communicates effectively both orally and in writing with professional, administrative, and technical staff at all levels to gather information, analyze problems, and coordinate activities related to the Quality Management program. Participates in the development, coordination, and presentation of educational programs associated with quality management/performance improvement programs, policies, processes, and other findings to medical center staff. The QIC is knowledgeable in all confidentiality regulations as may be necessary to ensure protection of Veterans, practitioners, and the Medical Center from any negative impact, which may arise from inappropriate or illegal release of information or violation in clinical practice or professional ethics. Typical quality management service programs/duties assigned to the position may include quality management, risk management, controlled substance inspection program, utilization management, internal/external peer review management, accreditation compliance, patient safety activities, infection prevention activities, and/or policy review/oversight. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm\nTelework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for ad hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Cynthia Powell at cynthia.powell3@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]