Summary The Registered Nurse - Assistant Chief of Quality Management provides day-to-day oversight of work performed by a staff of professionals engaged in the coordination of improvement and quality activities. The Assistant Chief (QM) managerial duties and responsibilities involve final decisions, which have a direct and substantial effect on the health care system and its programs. Decisions affecting the nature, scope and quality of the health care system's patient care programs and activities. Responsibilities The RN - Assistant Chief of Quality Management perform the following duties (but not limited to): Supervises QM Programs for the following - Accreditation, Utilization Management, Flow Control Center, Infection Control, Risk Management/Peer Review, VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP), Quality Management Specialists, & controlled Substance Inspections. Oversees Quality Council to prioritize improvement opportunities arising from analysis of data and input from multiple institutional stakeholders. Manages pending issues and maintains an ongoing account of issues requiring follow-up; ensures action items are assigned appropriately and timely responses are achieved. Conducts a variety of special studies and analyzes a wide variety of health care system management issues, with analyses requiring formal and informal presentations. Coordinates and accomplishes special projects using own expertise and all available resources. Collaborates with the Chief of QM to establish priorities for programs, personnel, workforce development and education, safety, security, equipment, supplies, and allocation of resources as needed. Incumbent promotes labor-management relations through involvement with the Unions, keeping close contact with the Employee Labor Relations (ELR), actively working to enforce affirmative action goals, and enforcing the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program. Provides ongoing consulting services, both onsite and telephonically, to other VA facilities as needed. They may entail anything from participating in conference calls to visiting an affiliate to teach and share best practices; giving presentations to large groups of individuals at VHA facilities, regional conferences and/or national conferences about the integration of continuous improvement, quality, and patient-centered practices into the health care environment. With oversight from the chief, the assistant chief assigns budget allocations for QM, including funds for salaries, travel, and office operations. Acquires and maintains current knowledge relevant to the principles, practices, and techniques associated with nursing, risk management, and quality improvement practices through literature and periodical review, workshop attendance, and/or other use of sound benchmark practices. Assists the Chief of QM in developing and maintaining Quality Management Programs which provide services and technical counsel necessary to meet procedural, legal, and accreditation requirements relating to the care and treatment of patients has the authority to make decisions and commitments in functional and operational aspects of Quality Management Programs. Oversees external review preparedness including, but not limited to, The Joint Commission {TJC) , ABC Prosthetics, The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and the Office of the Inspector (OIG). Promotes, creates, demonstrates and ensure a culturally diverse workforce that respects the values and needs of all. Shares with the Chief of QM responsibility for development and enactment of a continuous readiness plan for compliance with applicable accrediting bodies I.E., T JC, ABC Prosthetics, CAR, CAP, OIG and Veteran Health Administration {VHA) rules and regulations. Shares responsibility for tracking to completion and trending external review recommendations. 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: 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility. 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. 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 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. 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 master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's 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. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12812163. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, straight pulling (2 hours), pushing (1 hour), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (8 hours), standing (6 hours), kneeling (1/4 hours), repeated bending (1 hour), both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, neat vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades fo colors, hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability. Environmental factors: Excessive humidity, excessive dampness or chilling, excessive noise, intermittent, radiant energy, electrical energy, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, unusual fatigue factors (working), working with hands in water, working closely with others, working alone, protracted or irregular hours of work, irregular hours of work and wearing aseptic mask. Education 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. 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. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S.C § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA at vacofairchanceact@va.gov. Applicant written complaints should include the following: Administration name: Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA) or VA Central Office (VACO) (for example, Human Resources Service Center).Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known).Date of contact. Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint. Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) (va.gov) for more information.