Summary

The Risk Manager RN is responsible for the management - coordination - implementation - and evaluation of the medical center's Risk Management Program in accordance with applicable Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directives - VA policies - and regulatory requirements. The incumbent provides leadership in identifying - assessing - monitoring - and mitigating clinical and organizational risks to promote patient safety - improve healthcare quality - and support a culture of high reliability.

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
• 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/13101323
• 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
• Preferred Experience/Qualifications: Master's Degree Background in legal nurse consulting or claims review Experience with VA specific tools like the clinical risk insight portal or similar dashboards Project management or lean six sigma process improvement experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment
• The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles

Duties

• Duties of the Risk Manager RN include - but are not limited to: Manages - coordinates - implements - and evaluates the medical center's Risk Management Program in accordance with applicable VHA directives - VA policies - and regulatory requirements
• Provides oversight of risk management activities - including VHA Quality and Patient Safety Programs - Peer Review for Quality Management - tort claims - administrative investigations - and disclosure of adverse events to patients
• Conducts clinical practice reviews throughout the medical center to assess compliance with established standards of care - clinical practice guidelines - and organizational policies
• Reviews clinical outcomes and healthcare resource utilization to identify potential risks - inefficiencies - and opportunities for improving patient safety and quality of care
• Coordinates and maintains databases and tracking systems related to tort claims - peer reviews - and other risk management activities
• Reviews - analyzes - and evaluates clinical and administrative data to identify trends - potential safety concerns - and areas requiring corrective action
• Collaborates with medical center leadership - clinical providers - nursing staff - and administrative personnel to identify and address risk management concerns
• Provides consultation and recommendations regarding appropriate utilization of healthcare resources and opportunities to improve efficiency and patient-care outcomes
• Assesses organizational risks - develops appropriate methods for evaluating identified concerns - and recommends corrective actions to improve patient safety and healthcare delivery
• Conducts timely follow-up on identified risks and corrective actions to evaluate effectiveness and promote sustainable improvements
• Develops - coordinates - and provides risk management education and training to medical center staff regarding applicable policies - procedures - reporting requirements - and patient safety practices
• Monitors changes in VHA directives - Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) guidance - and applicable regulatory requirements to ensure local policies and procedures remain compliant
• Systematically evaluates current healthcare processes and recommends improvements based on professional nursing standards - clinical evidence - and organizational performance data
• Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement initiatives to assess healthcare delivery - reduce risks - and improve patient outcomes
• Compiles - analyzes - and communicates risk management data and findings to medical center leadership to support strategic planning - organizational decision-making - and performance improvement
• Participates in and leads interdisciplinary committees - workgroups - shared governance activities - and patient safety initiatives
• Supports implementation of high reliability principles and promotes a culture of safety - accountability - transparency - and continuous improvement
• Serves as a clinical and professional resource to nursing staff and interdisciplinary healthcare professionals regarding risk management - patient safety - and evidence-based practices
• Identifies educational and competency development needs related to risk management and coordinates appropriate staff education and training
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement evidence-based practices that improve the quality - safety - and effectiveness of patient care
• Promotes effective communication - teamwork - professional accountability - and ethical decision-making while maintaining a respectful and supportive work environment
• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive patient - employee - and organizational information in accordance with federal laws - VHA directives - and medical center policies
• Supports continued accreditation readiness and compliance with applicable Joint Commission - regulatory - and organizational standards
• Demonstrates leadership in improving Veteran-centered care by addressing concerns related to patient experience - safety - timeliness - and coordination of services
• Performs 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 - 0800-1630 Telework: AD-HOC as needed by agency
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized