The Risk Management Consultant (RMC) functions as a resource person and consultant for risk-related activities to ensure that Veterans, staff, and leadership needs are provided in a safe environment and in a timely manner. The RMC is responsible and accountable for the provision of information, education, training, and technical support for all employees related to the Risk Management program.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Providing leadership in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating Risk Management processes at the facility. Identifying inherent risk through Risk Assessment or other processes to understand and improve risk management and control. Leading the organization in prioritizing and acting in a deliberate and measured manner to address the greatest risks, including developing an appropriate, integrated response of prevention, mitigation and financing. Providing oversight of the protected peer review process in collaboration with the Chief of Staff and Protected Peer Review Committee. Processing tort claims in collaboration with Regional Counsel. Facilitating medical advisory opinions. Monitoring selected clinical criteria through the occurrence screening process to identify potential risk areas. Providing staff training regarding risk prevention including appropriate documentation in medical records. Participating in the decision making process to evaluate and enact disclosure, at both the clinical and institutional level. Collaborating with the Suicide Prevention Program Manager on the safe care of high risk patients and review of suicide attempts and completions. Participating on the Integrated Ethics Committee to provide insight and supportive counsel from the standpoint of risk. Actively participating and being a member of other committees and the Quality Safety Council. Consulting with staff regarding how to proceed with reviews, or other actions when sub-standard, negligent, or risky clinical care is discovered. Participating in Performance Improvement Projects. Demonstrating the ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and present data/information necessary for continuous quality improvement. Interfacing with the Patient Representative and Patient Safety Manager in evaluating incident reports and patient complaints requiring follow-up action. Functioning as the Alternate Controlled Substance Coordinator responsible for oversight and implementation of the facility's Controlled Substance Inspection Program. Responsibilities include: ensuring required inventories are completed; ensuring inspectors are trained; ensuring monthly inspections are completed; reviewing complaints regarding controlled substances received by the patient advocate; reviewing discrepancies with supervisors and ensuring resolution of issues; submitting monthly and quarterly reports to the director summarizing findings including a description of unresolved discrepancies. Participating in Environment of Care and Construction Rounds. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM Telework: Available (after the first 90 days and if program requirements are being met) Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards

Requirements

Qualifications

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: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Experience in risk management Current knowledge of VA risk management processes 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: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; straight pulling (0.5 hours); pushing (0.5 hours); reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; walking (3 hours); standing (5 hours); repeated bending; operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid may be permitted).

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Jonathan M Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center 77 Wainwright Drive Walla Walla, WA 99362 US
• Name: Valeria Sheremetova
• Phone: 206-452-8325
• Email: [email protected]