Registered Nurse - Patient Safety Manager

Veterans Health Administration • Houston, TX

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Nurse Patient Safety Manager (PSM) is a registered nurse who coordinates and implements patient safety policies and activities developed by the National Center for Patient Safety. The PSM serves as the facility’s key person for building and implementing patient safety systems and promoting safety in Veterans Health Administration facilities and healthcare settings serving Veterans.

The role requires leadership, detailed planning, professional communication, creative approaches to improving patient safety and developing healthcare programs, effective prioritization, meeting deadlines, delivering presentations in person, by telephone, and electronically, and working independently. The PSM supports facility leadership in planning, organizing, developing, directing, and evaluating the facility’s patient safety program.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the schedule may change based on facility needs. Telework is available, but this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Graduate from an approved school of professional nursing accredited by ACEN or CCNE, or meet an applicable education pathway for foreign nursing education or a master's-level bridge program.
• Hold current, full, active, and unrestricted professional nurse registration in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; applicable Graduate Nurse Technician exceptions may apply.
• Demonstrate proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Meet the education and experience requirements for the assigned nurse grade and level.
• Meet applicable Nurse III requirements, if assigned at that grade, including a qualifying graduate degree, specialized nursing experience, and dimension requirements.
• U.S. citizenship is required, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete required onboarding and application documentation and undergo a background/security investigation; a probationary period may be required.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.

Nice To Haves

• Clinical nursing experience in hospital settings such as emergency department, intensive care, medical-surgical, mental health, or operating room.
• Proficiency in data analysis and evaluation.
• At least two years of previous experience as a Patient Safety Manager, consultant, or clinician.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) or Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) certification.
• Experience facilitating and leading process improvement activities.
• Experience collaborating with multiple care lines and VHA offices, such as OIG and OMI.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement patient safety policies and activities developed by the National Center for Patient Safety.
• Help build and implement patient safety systems and promote safety within VHA facilities and across healthcare settings serving Veterans.
• Conduct safety rounds and advise on the timely resolution of safety issues.
• Use patient safety survey data and analysis to facilitate safety promotion.
• Train and coordinate patient safety activities of facility personnel, including infection control professionals, risk managers, and quality managers.
• Conduct individual tracer rounds related to safety issues.
• Translate patient safety policies, theories, and strategies into action within complex organizational interrelationships.
• Conduct multidisciplinary rounds, including Environment of Care, construction, and mental health safety rounds.
• Train clinicians, management, and relevant support personnel in person on the patient safety program and patient safety analysis processes.
• Directly support facility leadership in planning, organization, development, direction, and evaluation of the facility patient safety program.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year, consisting of 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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