Registered Nurse - Patient Safety Manager

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 105,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal pension

Health/vision/dental insurance

Lifes insurance

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Nurse Patient Safety Manager (RN) to lead patient safety initiatives, develop healthcare safety programs, and present complex information with impact. The role demands planning, independent work, and professional communication across clinical teams.

The position emphasizes clinical nursing expertise, leadership in safety processes, and collaboration with infection control, risk management, and quality teams.

Qualifications

• Basic English proficiency for direct patient care per VA standards.
• Nursing degree from ACEN or CCNE accredited program or equivalent.
• State licensure upon appointment and progression to permanent status.
• Preference for CPHP/CPPS certifications and process-improvement experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates and implements patient safety policies and activities per NCPS.
• Lead patient safety initiatives, develop plans, and present findings to leadership.
• Conduct safety rounds and act as a consultant on safety issues.
• Train facility staff on patient safety programs and analyses processes.
• Support leadership in planning, development, and evaluation of the patient safety program.

Skills

Leadership

Patient safety

Data analysis

Clinical nursing

Communication

Education

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) or related field with BSN

Current RN license in any US state or territory

Job description

Summary

The Nurse Patient Safety Manager (PSM) Registered Nurse (RN) 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.

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/13105684
• 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/
• Preferred Experience: Clinical Nursing (hospital) experience in various settings (ED - ICU - Med Surg - Mental Health - OR - etc.) Proficiency in data analyses and evaluation Previous Experience as a Patient Safety Manager/Consultant/Clinicia at least 2 years
• Certified Professional in Health Care Quality (CPHQ) or Certified Professional In Patient Safety (CPPS) certifications
• Experience in facilitating and leading process improvement activities Experience in collaborating with multiple care lines and different offices in the VHA e.g. - OIG - OMI - etc
• Physical Requirements: Use of fingers - Walking - Standing - Repeated bending.

Duties

• Coordinates and implements 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 Health Administration (VHA) facilities and for Veteran patients in all healthcare settings
• Executes the position responsibilities that demonstrate effective 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 - and demonstrates the ability to work independently
• Conducting safety rounds and serving as a consultant on the timeliness of resolving safety issues
• Utilizing patient safety survey data and analysis - the PSM facilitates promotion of safety
• Trains and coordinates patient safety activities of personnel within the facility - such as infection control professionals - risk managers - and quality managers
• Conduct individual tracer rounds related to safety issues
• Translates the policies - theories - and strategies into action within the complex interrelationships that exist related to patient safety
• Conduct multidisciplinary rounds - which include but are not limited to Environment of Care (EOC) rounds - construction rounds - and mental health safety rounds
• Training clinicians - management - and all relevant support personnel within their facilities in person - about the patient safety program and patient safety analyses processes
• Directly supports facility leadership in areas of planning - organization - development - direction - and evaluation of the patient safety program within the facility
• 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 7:30am-4:00pm - subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized