The Veterans Healthcare Systems of the Ozarks is seeking to hire a Quality & Performance Management Specialist that will be responsible for utilizing the nursing process principles to ensure the delivery of safe high quality and patient-centered care. This position is aligned in the Quality and Patient Safety Service and is responsible for providing substantial and continuous oversight, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of clinical care across all service lines and disciplines.

Duties

The Quality & Performance Management Specialist, Registered Nurse (RN) provides leadership and guidance throughout the facility by overseeing the health care system's policies and documents. The RN provides assistance and services to all staff members of the healthcare system. The RN collectively and individually works with chiefs, managers, supervisors, and staff at all levels and with all service lines to educate and improve policies affecting patient care, performance outcomes, and effective clinical operations. Duties include but are not limited to: Researching, analyzing, interpreting, and applying laws, regulations, policies, and evidence-based guidance to generate policies that protect Veteran information and improve operations. Works closely with the Systems Resign and High-Reliability Organization (HRO) Lead to ensure policies and procedures are developed to support the principles of HRO. Responsible for administering, analyzing, and performing work involved in establishing, disseminating, and managing policy within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and sharing National and VISN-level directives and policies with the station personnel. Proficient in preparing reports and data to ensure resources are efficiently and effectively used in the provision of safe high-quality patient-centered care. Uses sound clinical judgment when selecting a course of action to ensure compliance with safe patient care leading to improved outcomes. Facilitates developing standard operating procedures to facilitate data collection, aggregation, and presentations that enhance data utilization to drive care improvement initiatives. Provides technical assistance to appropriate stakeholders. Applies an in-depth knowledge of a variety of analytical and evaluative tools to projects within the Healthcare System. 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 7:30 am- 4:00 pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

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. Preferred Experience: Experience with quality improvements based on professional standards, patient safety, and quality health information to prepare reports and data for educational activities to improve clinical knowledge and enhance role performance throughout the facility. Knowledgeable in current accreditation standards, performance measures, and information necessary to prepare for accrediting bodies and review groups to include but not limited to, the Joint Commission (TJC), Office if Inspector General (OIG), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and VISN Inspection Teams. Effective verbal and written correspondence, ability to communicate with Veterans, staff, leadership and other stakeholders. 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/12508670. 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. 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 potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments. Occasional travel is required of this position. In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles for periods of time to include visits to the community-based outpatient clinics or other off-campus facilities associated with the medical center to ensure compliance with Environment of Care standards.

Contacts

• Address Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US
• Name: Pamela Stephens
• Phone: 8509771532
• Email: [email protected]