Registered Nurse - Specialty Surgical Care

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is seeking an RN to serve as QVP program coordinator, supporting patient safety and quality improvement activities within OCL. The role requires documented experience in quality improvement and the ability to gather and analyze QI data from various databases, then present findings to leadership committees.

The candidate should hold a nursing degree with current licensure, and have demonstrated experience coordinating related activities and reporting to

Qualifications

• English language proficiency required for direct patient care.
• Graduate of a nursing program approved by ACEN/CCNE or equivalent.
• Active state nursing license or eligibility with licensure pursuit.

Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing support for patient safety and quality improvement activities/data within OCL.
• Gather and analyze QI data from relevant databases and present findings to leadership.
• Coordinate related QI activities and communicate actions to committees.

Skills

Quality improvement

Patient safety

Data analysis

Nursing

Education

Nursing degree (ADN/ Diploma)

BSN

Master's in Nursing (MSN)

Job description

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) QVP program coordinator (RN) will provide continuous support for patient safety and quality improvement activities/data within OCL. The candidate is expected to have documented experience in quality improvement and patient safety as well as experience in coordinating related activities. This candidate should also have the ability to gather and analyze QI data from relevant databases and present findings/actions before leadership committees/meetings.

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

Registered Nurse with over three years of experience of which at least 1 year in quality improvement and patient safety.

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/13089691.

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

Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), light carrying, under 15 pounds, straight pulling (4 hours), pushing (4 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (8 hours), standing (8 hours), repeated bending (8 hours), both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), constant noise, dust, slippery or uneven waling surfaces, working with hands in water, working closely with others.