Registered Nurse - High Reliability Specialist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Jefferson Barracks (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Registered Nurse - High Reliability Specialist to drive the organization’s journey toward Zero Harm by coordinating and implementing High Reliability Organization activities in accordance with established standards and VISN guidance.

The role requires leadership, program development, and the ability to manage complex, interdisciplinary training to improve patient safety and quality outcomes within the facility.

Qualifications

• English Language Proficiency is required.
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse license in the U.S. or a territory.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and ensures sustainability of HRO activities that support Culture of Safety.
• Leads curriculum development and conducts training for High Reliability activities.
• Tracks process improvements and documents outcomes in applicable systems.

Skills

English proficiency

Nursing leadership

Program coordination

Education

BSN or higher

RN licensure

Job description

SummaryThe RN - High Reliability Specialist Registered Nurse (RN) provides leadership and accountability for the design - oversight - and execution the High Reliability Organization (HRO) program and activities that support the organization's healthcare mission. The nurse serves as a facility expert and consultant for HRO topics. Responsibilities include the planning - development - implementation - and evaluation of HRO activities designated to assess and improve the organization's Culture of Safety.

SummaryThe RN - High Reliability Specialist Registered Nurse (RN) provides leadership and accountability for the design - oversight - and execution the High Reliability Organization (HRO) program and activities that support the organization's healthcare mission. The nurse serves as a facility expert and consultant for HRO topics. Responsibilities include the planning - development - implementation - and evaluation of HRO activities designated to assess and improve the organization's Culture of Safety. QualificationsBasic 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/13068458
• 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 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 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 assigned patients - and utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols
• This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must comply with any Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment
• This includes but is not limited to carrying/lifting 45 pounds and over
• walking and/or standing for eight hours at time
• and kneeling and repeated bending throughout shift.

Duties

• The Registered Nurse - High Reliability Specialist drives the organization's journey toward Zero Harm by coordinating and implementing HRO activities in accordance with the established standards - directives - Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) guidance and is consistent with goals of high reliability
• This position requires strong organizational skills - the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines - and the ability to work independently across all levels of staff
• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Develops - implements - and ensures sustainability of HRO related activities that support Culture of Safety - Leadership Commitment and Engagement - Continuous Process Improvement - Learning Organization - Veteran and Staff Experiences - Just Culture - Psychological Safety - Change Management - and Lean Improvement Methods
• Work independently - developing curriculum and conducting classes to support the work of High Reliability - such as Team Training (initial and refresher) - Lean systems - HRO
• Tracks and monitors process improvement strategies and drives documentation in the QuITT Application as applicable to standard HRO UBSIs and Systems Redesign QuITT project documentation of continuous process improvements Train the Trainer - etc
• Promotes organizational learning and has responsibility for training clinicians - management - and all relevant support personnel within their facilities
• Delivers professional communications and presentations in person - by phone - and electronically
• Assists with organizing and completing assigned HRO tasks in an efficient and appropriate manner - managing workload as directed
• Participates in the development - implementation - and evaluation of HRO-related interdisciplinary activities
• Applies principles and theory of high reliability with limited independent application of critical thinking - relying on supervisory guidance for complex or ambiguous situations
• 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 through Friday - 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.