Registered Nurse - Patient Safety

Veterans Health Administration • Iowa City, IA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System is recruiting a Registered Nurse (RN) - Patient Safety. The Patient Safety RN collaborates with the Chief of Quality and Performance Improvement or designee, Chief of Staff, and Nurse Executive to establish and maintain policies and procedures that ensure compliance with applicable regulations, standards, and VHA directives, including patient safety and performance measures and monitors.

The role supports the VA Midwest Health Care Network’s Whole Health System of care, which empowers Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being through personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connection to their communities. The position supports the Veterans Health Administration mission to honor Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

The position is based in the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or qualifying nursing education under the stated VA 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 exception is described for eligible candidates pursuing licensure.
• Meet the applicable VA Nurse grade and level requirements for education, specialized nursing experience, and professional dimensions.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusing the test results in denial of employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to background and security investigation.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements; from May 7, 2025, non-REAL ID-compliant state driver's licenses or identification cards are not acceptable for this purpose.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• May be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements listed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with quality and performance improvement leadership, the Chief of Staff, and the Nurse Executive to develop and maintain patient safety policies and procedures and ensure compliance with VHA directives and regulatory standards.
• Review electronic health records and related documentation regularly to verify adherence to VA guidelines and safe clinical practices.
• Educate, consult with, and guide staff on patient safety practices, incident reporting requirements, and process improvement methods.
• Review and analyze patient safety incidents and related data to identify trends, systemic issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Communicate goals, objectives, and policy information to staff, patients, and the health care team, ensuring understanding of system expectations.
• Coordinate with clinical disciplines to support timely, appropriate, and safe patient care, intervening as needed to obtain necessary resources.
• Participate in unit- and program-level quality improvement processes using effective decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Assist leadership in prioritizing patient safety projects through data-driven analysis and identify areas requiring monitoring and evaluation.
• Lead interdisciplinary teams to improve patient safety processes and outcomes and implement national patient safety initiatives.
• Serve as a resource on professional and regulatory standards, including Joint Commission, CARF, CDC, OSHA, and APIC standards, and recommend practice changes to maintain compliance.
• Analyze and track findings from the Incident Reporting System, Patient Safety Rounds, RCA teams, HFMEA teams, and performance improvement reports; ensure timely follow-up and reporting.
• Summarize patient safety and performance data for dissemination to leadership and staff across the health care system.
• Collaborate with patient safety personnel, including Risk Managers and Quality Managers, to coordinate safety-related activities and initiatives.
• Support High Reliability Organization principles by promoting a Just Culture, enhancing safety, and encouraging continuous process improvement.
• Complete additional assignments aligned with VHA, VISN, and facility priorities and emerging patient safety initiatives.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days annual leave, 13 days 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree