Deputy Chief Nurse – Quality and Patient Safety

Summary The Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center is seeking a Deputy Chief Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) to join the team! The Deputy Chief (QPS) executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and, influence the organizational healthcare mission. Responsibilities The Deputy Chief of Quality and Patient Safety primary responsibilities are as follows: Responsible for the implementation of the organizational-wide strategic plan, along with Veterans care and customer service metrics. Must possess the ability to hold self and staff accountable while building rapport with direct and indirect reports. The incumbent has substantial and continuing responsibility for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling service-wide infrastructure issues which include the overall operation of the service, responding to internal and external communications, maintaining knowledge of, and communicating standards of nursing practice and patient care, and developing systems to enhance overall operations and communications within the service. Has significant medical center and service policy responsibilities in the development and refinement of processes to meet the needs of the medical center. Ensures processes are in place for continued accreditation readiness and participates in rounds to survey nursing units. Maintains content of professional documents such as scopes for advanced practice nurses, scopes for registered nurses for procedures beyond basic education, and scopes of care and practice for each nursing unit. Prepares recurring professional reports. Reports directly to the Chief, QPS, and covers in his/her absence as designated. Accountable to the Chief, QPS, and supports the healthcare system director and other members of the senior leadership team in areas of enterprise risk mitigation and continuous quality improvement. Responsible for planning, designing, integrating, implementing, modifying, and administering the quality management programs with a focus on evaluating and continuously improving services provided for the Veteran population. Provides oversight and maintains program responsibility related to quality and performance improvement, external accreditation/regulatory oversight reviews, performance measures, infection prevention and control. Responsible for engaging leaders and all appropriate staff in the practice of identifying, managing, controlling, and monitoring risks to the organization. Operates under broadly delegated authority, making independent decisions and taking actions to develop and/or modify programs/areas within the scope of this position. Exhibits leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for integrated programs that cross HCGs, service, and discipline lines, and influence the organizational mission and healthcare delivery system, encompassing responsibilities to the Veteran population, the VAGLAHS, VISN 22, and the VHA. The Deputy Chief is an organizational steward, implementing the Mission, Vision, and Values of the Veteran Health Administration throughout the VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: 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 per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K 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 US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. 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 one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a masters level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelors level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered 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 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 that 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 State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) 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.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision – All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met to qualify for Nurse IV: Scope: Executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. Education: Masters degree in Nursing (MSN) and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR Masters degree in a related field with a BSN and 4 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV; OR a Doctoral degree in a related field with a BSN and 3 years of professional nursing experience, one of which is specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse III and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse IV. Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Dimensions: Leadership. Leads health care delivery by leveraging evidence-based practices, industry-leading research, and innovative care models. Drives a shared vision and successfully leads change to improve performance and attain measurable outcomes at the program or service level. Business Acumen. Transforms health care by implementing new processes, technology, informatics, and data analytics using business models and fundamental concepts of resource management at the program or service level. Inspiring an Industry-Leading Culture. Employs an industry leading, shared decision-making culture. Cultivates a diverse and inclusive workforce that serves Veterans, families and caregivers of all backgrounds and builds trust, cultural competencies and catalyzes dynamic teams at the program or service level. Communication and Relationship Management. Directs the effective use of relationship management principles to achieve positive customer service experiences that are consistent with professional organizational values, beliefs and practices at the program or services level. Professional and Social Responsibility. Operationalizes a culture of holistic care, health advocacy and health equity. Applies ethical principles in decision-making at the program or service level. Advances nursing knowledge through health science research and the translation and dissemination of evidence into practice to maximize the value to Veterans and the community. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: Leadership and creative approaches in the management of complex issues specific to performance improvement, continuous readiness, and accreditation within a specified area(s) of assignment that cross service and/or discipline lines. Utilizing management theory in collaboration with healthcare groups (HCG), and other services as an administrator, educator, and consultant. Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relate effectively with customers, families, and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels. Contributing ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing organization-wide. Assisting in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs. Collaborating with other health care staff to establish and maintain programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care. Implementation of the organizational-wide strategic plan, along with Veterans care and customer service metrics. Substantial and continuing responsibility for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling service-wide infrastructure issues which include the overall operation of the service, responding to internal and external communications, maintaining knowledge of, and communicating standards of nursing practice and patient care, and developing systems to enhance overall operations and communications within the service. Ensuring processes are in place for continued accreditation readiness and participates in rounds to survey nursing units. Supporting the healthcare system director and other members of the senior leadership team in areas of enterprise risk mitigation and continuous quality improvement. Maintains program responsibility and oversight related to quality and performance improvement, infection prevention and control, external accreditation/regulatory oversight reviews, and performance measures. Supervisory experience, demonstrating and evaluation of staff performance Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.