Nurse (Clinical Research/Safety and Quality)

National Institutes of Health • Montgomery County, MD

2d • Onsite

About The Position

These nursing positions are located in the Clinical Center Nursing Department at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Clinical Center (CC), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Safety and Quality Nurse reports directly to a Nurse Manager for a unit or clinic in the specialty area and serves as a senior clinical expert for a designated patient population or program of care. The primary duties relate to direct patient care, with participation in interdepartmental projects as assigned.

The position supports biomedical research by recording research data, including clinical measurements, administration of research compounds, and participant responses in approved source documents. It also involves detailed observation, measurements, and data collection related to protocol-defined assessments and the nurse’s expert clinical judgment.

The Safety and Quality Nurse collaborates with the nurse manager and department leaders on activities to improve patient safety and clinical quality and reduce risk, consistent with applicable policies, procedures, and standards of practice. The nurse provides colleagues with feedback on identified quality improvement and patient safety issues, plans and conducts surveillance of nursing-sensitive indicators identified by CCND, NDNQI, TJC, and the program of care, serves as a safety resource for staff, and partners with and consults the CCND Safety and Quality Office.

Requirements

• Graduate or higher-level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program.
• Current, active, full, and unrestricted professional nursing license or registration from a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.
• Passed the NCLEX-RN, or obtained nursing licensure before NCLEX-RN implementation; applicants who have not passed NCLEX-RN may be subject to a comprehensive evaluation of education and experience.
• At least one year of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 level in the Federal Government, obtained in the public or private sector, including relevant patient safety and quality improvement work, independent direct patient care for research participants, feedback to colleagues, and surveillance of nursing-sensitive indicators.
• U.S. citizenship or proof of U.S. National status by the announcement closing date.
• Successful completion of a background investigation, qualification verification, onboarding forms, and required documentation or other job-related requirements.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 35 pounds, if required.
• Ability to undergo pre-employment medical screening.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Foreign nursing school graduates must provide official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.

Nice To Haves

• Expert clinical practice and expertise and knowledge related to implementing performance improvement activities, promoting clinical quality and patient safety, and reducing risk for a specific patient population or program of care.
• Relevant experience gained through religious, civic, welfare, service, or organizational activities, whether paid or unpaid.

Responsibilities

• Participate in interdepartmental projects as assigned, with primary duties related to direct patient care.
• Record research data, including clinical measurements, research compound administration, and participant responses, in approved source documents.
• Support biomedical research through detailed observation, measurements, and collection of data related to protocol-defined assessments and expert clinical judgment.
• Collaborate with the nurse manager and department leaders on improvement activities that promote patient safety and clinical quality and reduce risk.
• Provide colleagues with feedback on identified quality improvement and patient safety issues.
• Plan and conduct surveillance of nursing-sensitive indicators identified by CCND, NDNQI, TJC, and the program of care.
• Serve as a safety resource for staff.
• Partner and consult with the CCND Safety and Quality Office.
• Provide independent direct patient care to research participants.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree