Registered Nurse - Patient Safety

The Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) is recruiting for 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 policy and procedures to ensure compliance with associated regulations, standards, and VHA Directives, including patient safety and performance measures/monitors.

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Collaborates with leadership (Quality and Performance Improvement, Chief of Staff, Nurse Executive) to develop and maintain patient safety policies, procedures, and compliance with VHA directives and regulatory standards. Conducts regular reviews of electronic health records and related documentation to verify adherence to VA guidelines and safe clinical practices. Educates, consults, and provides guidance to staff on patient safety practices, incident reporting requirements, and process improvement methods. Reviews and analyzes patient safety incidents and related data to identify trends, systemic issues, and opportunities for improvement. Communicates goals, objectives, and policy information effectively to staff, patients, and the health care team; ensures understanding of system expectations. Coordinates with clinical disciplines to ensure timely, appropriate, and safe care for patients, intervening as needed to obtain necessary resources. Participates in quality improvement processes at the unit and program level, applying effective decision-making and problem-solving skills. Assists leadership in prioritizing patient safety projects using data-driven analysis and identifies areas requiring monitoring and evaluation. Leads interdisciplinary teams to improve patient safety processes and outcomes and to implement national patient safety initiatives. Serves as a resource on professional and regulatory standards (Joint Commission, CARF, CDC, OSHA, APIC) and recommends practice changes to maintain compliance. Analyzes and tracks findings from the Incident Reporting System, Patient Safety Rounds, RCA teams, HFMEA teams, and performance improvement reports; ensures timely follow-up and reporting. Summarizes patient safety and performance data for dissemination to leadership and staff across the health care system. Collaborates with patient safety personnel, including Risk Managers and Quality Managers, to coordinate safety-related activities and initiatives. Supports High Reliability Organization (HRO) principles by promoting a Just Culture, enhancing safety, and encouraging continuous process improvement. Completes additional assignments aligned with VHA, VISN, and facility priorities and emerging patient safety initiatives. 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; 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.