Career Center

The Assistant Director, Quality and Safety, provides support to the Director, Quality and Safety, in managing the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) Quality and Safety programs at all locations, including community-based outpatient clinics. Quality and Safety is aligned under the Office of Quality, Safety & Value (QSV). The incumbent is a member of the QSV team and is involved in assessing, delivering and improving the quality, safety, and value of healthcare services. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: BLS provider card Three (3) to five (5) years RN experience within a complex hospital setting with progressive leadership in an independent leadership role (formal or informal). Demonstrated experience in utilizing systems redesign principles to improve healthcare systems. Demonstrated experience utilizing system redesign principles and statistical methods such as data analysis and project management. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The physical requirements of this position include lifting, prolonged standing, frequent bending and stooping, walking, reaching, and repetitive motion. The mental/sensory requirements include recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing, keyboarding, reading, and logical thinking. The environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes fast pace requiring handling of multiple priorities, frequent, sometimes intense customer interactions, and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes noisy environment. There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease, illness and hazardous materials. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Major duties and responsibilities include bit are not limited to: Collaborates with the Director, Quality and Safety in executing quality management activities and performance improvement activities in support of system improvements that ultimately are designed to improve quality of care and services provided, customer service activities or other business procedures used by the VAPAHCS. Utilizes the principles and practices of the Service Improvement Model (SIM), VAPAHCS' Lean management system, to accomplish work. Performs a variety of duties to carry out, administer and provide advice regarding the assurance of quality for operational transactions, business processes and the delivery of services required to carry out federal government programs and functions. Ability to interpret rules and regulations and has a broad knowledge of VA regulations, The Joint Commission (TJC), and other applicable federal and investigatory requirements to provide accurate information for Management, Chiefs of Services, other officials and staff. Assists in medical center activities and preparations for TJC and other accreditation and external reviews. Monitors the follow-up to recommendations specific to risk resulting from TJC and other accreditation and external review visits. Performs the administrative and personnel management functions relative to staff supervision as indicated. Assists the Director, Quality and Safety, the Chief of QSV, and executive management in policy review, formulation and communication, implementation, and evaluation, and in setting of organizational priorities. Maintains current membership and establishes effective collegial relationships with other professional organizations and the larger health care community on a local, state, and national basis. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases\nPaid 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)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Full time: Monday-through Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]