Patient Safety Manager, Executive Director Service

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Federal benefits package

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, is seeking a Nurse Safety Manager (Registered Nurse) to lead patient safety initiatives across VA facilities. The role focuses on policy implementation, incident analysis, and collaboration with NCPS and facility leadership.

The incumbent will manage confidential information, develop safety plans, and chair cross-functional meetings. A valid RN license and leadership experience in healthcare are required to ensure high-quality,

Qualifications

• Graduate of a professional nursing program approved by ACEN or CCNE.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or territory.
• Bridge-program eligibility for licensure prior to completion.
• Foreign education requires degree equivalency validation.

Responsibilities

• Lead patient safety initiatives within VA facilities.
• Coordinate and present information to NCPS and facility leadership.
• Manage confidential information, investigations, and root cause analyses.
• Chair and participate in safety-related meetings with leadership and stakeholders.

Skills

English proficiency

Leadership

Communication

Ability to work under stress

Education

BSN or higher

State nursing license

MSN or related field (optional)

Job description

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until November 4 - 2026 or when vacant positions have been filled. The first group of eligible applicants will be reviewed August 19 - 2026. Subsequent reviews will be conducted periodically until these positions are filled. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information - refer to Required Documents below.

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/13028403
• 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/
• Preferred Experience: 3-5 years as an RN Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• Examples may include but are not limited to: - Significant amounts of time standing assisting patients - Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable or working effectively in stressful situation - able to shift priorities based on needs of the organization.

Duties

• Major Duties include - but are not limited to: The Patient Safety Manager Registered Nurse executes the position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership
• detailed planning
• professional communication
• creative and innovative approaches to the improvement of patient safety/healthcare program development
• possess an ability to organize priorities
• meet deadlines
• provide in-person - telephonic and electronic professional presentations
• demonstrate the ability to work independently
• Functions as the lead in the implementation of patient safety policies and activities developed by the National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) and is the facility's key person to help build and implement patient safety systems and promote safety within Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities and for VA patients in all healthcare settings
• Works with all levels of staff within the facility - including top-level management
• Must have the attitude that building safety is paramount and the foundation upon which safe operations are based
• Assists with - trains - and directs patient safety activities of personnel within the facility - such as infection control professionals - risk managers and quality managers
• Collaborates with all other services throughout the healthcare system as we implement RCA actions and outcome measures
• 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
• Responsibilities will encompass and manage confidential - sensitive - and protected information and materials including but not limited to patient records - and administrative investigations - Root Cause Analyses - Patient Safety Incidents - etc
• Disseminating Patient Safety Alerts - Patient Safety Advisories and Patient Safety Notices to the individuals identified in each document and ensuring documentation that actions and recommendations within Patient Safety Alerts - Patient Safety Advisories and Patient Safety Notices have been acknowledged and completed
• Exercise independent judgment to guide executive leadership - & managers on Patient Safety related information - actions - plans and follow-up Plan - attend - Chair - lead meetings that involve policy decision making and input to leadership and related stakeholders(e.g. - DBRS committee - ETAT Committee - MHEOCC committee - Patient Safety committees - etc.) This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments
• All 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 - 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized