Registered Nurse - Patient Safety Manager

Veterans Health Administration • Hines, IL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Hines VA Patient Safety Manager (PSM) works as part of the Patient Safety Team, managing the Patient Safety Program and implementing National Patient Safety Goals. The role reviews patient safety and environment-of-care standards and helps ensure appropriate guidance is provided throughout the hospital. The position also helps develop processes so required patient safety information is acted upon.

The Patient Safety Manager reviews and analyzes patient event reports, tracks and trends data, and reports findings to the Quality Board. The manager educates new staff about the Patient Safety Program and National Patient Safety Goals, and organizes and implements Root Cause Analyses (RCA) for identified issues. The role supports managers, chief nurses, and other supervisory staff in maintaining processes consistent with National Patient Safety Goals; advises on standardizing procedures; coordinates data collection and analysis; provides clinical expertise for data-driven decisions and performance improvement; and contributes to innovative patient safety program improvements.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, with an eight-hour tour between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., to be determined after orientation. Compressed or flexible scheduling and telework are not authorized, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. Physical requirements include visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, and potentially extended periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Patient or object transfers may be required; mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may encounter infected patients, contaminated materials, isolation or procedural protective-clothing requirements, and occasionally combative patients. Annual employee health requirements, such as TB screening or testing, must be completed.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduate of an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying nursing education under the stated bridge-program or foreign-education provisions.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia; a temporary Graduate Nurse Technician appointment may be available to eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the applicable Nurse grade and level requirements for education, professional nursing experience, and the specified qualification dimensions.
• Submit transcripts if education is used to qualify.
• Meet U.S. citizenship requirements, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Complete required pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, and physical examination; selected applicants in testing-designated positions must undergo urinalysis.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and meet annual Employee Health requirements.
• Be capable of working effectively in stressful situations and shifting priorities based on patient needs.
• Physical capacity for the described requirements, including walking, standing, bending, pushing, pulling, and potentially transferring patients or objects.

Nice To Haves

• Two to three years of nursing experience in acute care, an emergency department, critical care, or risk management.
• Previous Patient Safety Manager experience.

Responsibilities

• Review patient event reports to identify patient safety issues.
• Track and trend patient safety data and report findings to the Quality Board.
• Attend New Employee Orientation and educate new staff on the Patient Safety Program and National Patient Safety Goals.
• Organize and educate participating staff and implement Root Cause Analyses for identified issues arising from event reports or other patient safety concerns.
• Ensure managers, chief nurses, and other supervisory staff have processes consistent with National Patient Safety Goals.
• Advise on approaches to standardize system-related procedures and minimize variation.
• Facilitate coordination and development of data collection and analysis techniques.
• Provide clinical expertise and consultation for data-driven decision-making and performance improvement.
• Participate in developing innovative approaches to establish, enhance, modify, or improve patient safety programs.
• Complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Potential performance awards
• Up to 50 days of paid time off per year, including 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting
• 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 may be carried into retirement

What This Job Offers

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