Registered Nurse Quality Management Consultant

Summary The Quality Management Consultant facilitates compliance with VHA Directive, local policies, and national guidance, and implements service and hospital-wide performance improvement activities. Works in concert with the planning and development of intra-cycle accreditation monitoring and associated activities developed with the Accreditation Coordinator. 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 either 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 may be appointed 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 a 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 than an 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 U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth (including Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia. Graduated Nurse Technician 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). Grade Determinations: Scope, Education, and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates – and if appropriate, the level within a grade. 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: Various grade levels (Nurse I, II, III, etc.) with corresponding education and experience requirements are outlined in the posting. Preferred Experiences: Advanced use & experience with Excel and Microsoft Office; experience with CPRS & VISTA; detail orientated with data analytics, reporting data, expertise with The Joint Commission (TJC), CARF, OIG standards and survey processes, and ability to support any and all programs involved with accreditation. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15‑44 pounds), moderate carrying (15‑44 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (8 hours), standing (8 hours); operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors; hearing (aids may be permitted); read medication labels. Environmental Factors: Works both outside and inside, closely with others. Duties The Registered Nurse Quality Management Consultant is a full‑time professional nurse who works under the supervision of the ACQM. Responsible for formulating policies in conjunction with clinical services to influence, prescribe general principles, plan, coordinate, and develop Performance Improvement Activities and courses of action in accordance with all established statutes and Veterans Affairs (VA)/VISN Medical Center policies. Ensure staff in the services are apprised of current TJC standards and utilize TJC perspectives to keep abreast of changes and clarifications of standards. Ensure that the CQM is aware of all discrepancies or weak areas of compliance and of any implementation issues. Facilitate development and maintenance of policies and procedures that are updated. Utilize TJC Accreditation Manager Plus (AMP) and Joint Commission Resources (JCR) tools to assess readiness for survey. Collaborate with leadership to plan corrective actions to address weaknesses and improve performance on surveys; plan and coordinate preparation for all types of external reviews and maintenance of standards with various regulatory and accrediting bodies such as EPA, GAO, LTC, OIG, OSHA, TJC, etc. as needed. Review reports from external review bodies to identify important issues and maintain a compilation of recommendations and tracking to completion. Collaborate with the Performance Measures Coordinator and the External Peer Review Program (EPRP) reviewer to determine facility performance on national performance measures. Work with the EPRP Coordinator to identify opportunities for improvement and develop improvement plans with managers and leaders. May be asked to participate in development of action plans to improve performance measures. Collaborate with the Program Manager for Risk Management and Medical Legal Affairs to identify trends in tort claims and peer reviews. Collaborate with the Patient Safety Manager regarding patient safety issues and implementation of corrective actions; remain vigilant for patient safety and infection control issues in all areas of the medical center. Work with the Patient Safety Manager and Infection Control Nurses to plan corrective actions and measures for sustained improvement. Demonstrate the ability to improve the effectiveness of communications and interactions with others and inspire their cooperation and confidence to ensure safe and effective outcomes in the current practice setting. Communicate and collaborate as an effective leader of the interprofessional team, at the expert level, with improved evidence‑based and/or data‑driven outcomes for the immediate practice setting. Benefits 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). Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) 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 U.S. State or territory. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 07:30 am - 4:00 pm (subject to change based on facility needs). Telework: Ad‑hoc per agency policy; Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized; Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs