Summary

The Risk Manager (RM) is responsible for developing and managing the VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) Risk Management Program that supports the mission - vision and core values in accordance with regulatory agencies - VHA - Network and facility requirements.

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/12743820
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of one-year current experience in Risk Management
• Demonstrate ability to interact collaboratively with attorneys - patients and healthcare providers - utilizing excellent written and verbal communication skills appropriately targeted at a wide variety of audiences
• demonstrates proficiency in reviewing and processing medical malpractice claims - medical advisory opinions - and expert knowledge of the protected peer review process
• skilled in data extraction - display (use of statistical tools) - analysis - and detailed report preparation - with meticulous attention to detail
• exceptional organizational skills - proven ability to facilitate interdisciplinary teams and generate sustainable results
• Aptitude to influence and embed knowledge in others - while being open minded and flexible to promote the development of positive change
• team player with the demonstrated ability to make sound decisions - and the initiative to work with minimal supervision - to identify problems and make proposals for effective solutions
• Demonstrate ability to successfully adhere to deadlines - often in the setting of fluctuating priorities and competing demands
• Highly driven and self-motivated to exceed expectations of internal and external customers at every opportunity
• & Other preferred qualifications: Juris Doctor (JD) - Risk Management Certificate - Health Law Certificate - etc
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Moderate Carrying (15-44 pounds)
• Straight Pulling
• Pushing
• Reaching above Shoulder
• Walking
• Standing
• Repeated bending
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Hearing aid (permitted)
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Depth perception
• Both eyes required
• Both legs required
• Use of fingers and both hands required.

Duties

• The Risk Manager RN assumes the following major duties and responsibilities: Serves as a subject matter expert for risk management
• Working closely with service chiefs and others in planning - designing - integrating - implementing - modifying and administering the Risk Management Program
• The RM maintains expertise through attendance at continuing education sessions - conferences and workshops
• Provides advice and support to the medical center staff - directs the development and maintenance of programs designed to reduce risk at all levels within the healthcare delivery system - and provides professional management - educational assistance and policy development and implementation guidance in the area of risk management
• Participates in the development of innovative - evidence-based approaches to the establishment - enhancement - modification - and/or improvement of care with a focus on risk management
• Risk management activities encompass both inpatient and outpatient care - include all healthcare specialties and are integrated into the Quality Management Service
• Demonstrates knowledge of current concepts and principles of process improvement and external review standards
• Analyzes and interprets data to determine the effectiveness of the Risk Management Program - identifies opportunities for Risk Management Program improvement - and offers solutions
• Monitors the Risk Management Program compliance with VHA policy - The Joint Commission standards and other regulatory agency requirements
• Initiates - leads - and/or participates in quality improvement activities to collect data - analyze results - to improve organizational performance and recommend practice changes that will minimize risk to the facility and improve patient outcomes
• Provides leadership in improving and sustaining the quality and effectiveness of care delivered in diverse or complex programs
• Develops strategies to disseminate \"lessons learned\" to appropriate staff throughout the organization
• Serves as a risk management resource/consultant at the facility and Network level
• Provides consultation to the clinical staff regarding high risk - potentially liable situations
• Plans - develops and conducts education and training programs related to risk management and related quality management topics
• Collaborates with Deputy Chief and Chief QMS in the daily integration of risk management into the PI Program
• Manages the administrative tort claim process at the facility level in collaboration with Deputy Chief QMS - Chief QMS - Regional Counsel - the Assistant U.S. Attorney and the Office of Medical Legal Affairs as appropriate
• This includes coordinating Medical Advisory Opinions (MAO) and National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) review process at the facility level
• Investigates and provides resolution to facility small tort claims
• Identifies and analyzes trends in settled tort claims
• The analysis should identify corrective actions to decrease risk of patient injury and monetary loss or liability for the VHA
• Assists facility leadership in the setting of institutional priorities related to risk management
• Liaisons with the Patient Safety Managers regarding patient events requiring peer review - disclosure - Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and filing of Med Watch reports with FDA and/or manufacturer
• Serves as Consultant to the Peer Review Committee (PRC) on disclosure and other issues
• Conducts an annual assessment and evaluation of the Risk Management Program to determine the Program's effectiveness and ensures that findings of the Risk Management Program - including the annual assessment of the effectiveness of the program - are used to modify and improve the program and facilitate accomplishment of performance improvement goals and objectives
• Participates in regulatory surveys as appropriate and participates in Continuous Readiness activities
• Monitors the follow-up to recommendations specific to risk management resulting from The Joint Commission and other external review visits and formulates communication through the Deputy Chief and Chief QMS to external agents regarding these reviews
• Performs other duties as assigned
• 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 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.