Summary The Veterans Affairs Surgery Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) Nurse provides care and/or services appropriate to the age of the patients being served, and which is appropriate to the cognitive; emotional, and chronological maturation of the patient. Assesses data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their needs and to provide care needed as described in the services' policies and procedures. Responsibilities The Nurse Veterans Affairs Surgery Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) Quality Consultant Registered Nurse (RN) demonstrates leadership, experience, and creative approaches to improvement in quality-of-care outcomes. Effectively utilizes all aspects of the nursing process to provide optimal quality review of surgical care provided to patients undergoing operative procedures using defined metrics established by the NSO through VASQIP. Identifies surgical cases for inclusion into the NSO database based on appropriate selection criteria. Based on established NSO detailed definitions of each preoperative, operative, and outcome measures, the VASQIP Consultant will collect and enter data into the NSO database within the required times. Analyzes the data and reports information to identify the need for change in surgical service that may include the need to minimize risk and ensure effectiveness of clinical quality improvement. The clinically derived data is validated, formatted, and analyzed to characterize prevailing mortality and morbidity rates, both unadjusted and risk adjusted. Communicates and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team on any findings to analyze care trends and identify opportunities for improved quality of care. Participates in other quality-related initiatives within the Surgery Service and throughout the medical center. Maintains effective communication skills, serves as a consultant for VASQIP and quality-related matters. The VASQIP Consultant comprehends and effectively analyzes the clinical contents of medical records and associated documents in terms of quality and appropriateness of care issues such as adherence to or deviation from accepted diagnostic and treatment protocols, including drug therapies, and the presence or absence of expected outcomes. Possesses clinical knowledge of medical care processes and the analytical ability to correlate clinical diagnosis and symptoms with established diagnostic and treatment modalities. Maintains current knowledge of research and incorporates the findings into the measurement and evaluation of clinical practice. Performs duties directly contributing to the administrative management of the surgical health care delivery system. Provides clinical expertise and perspective necessary to integrate the NSO and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directives and regulations into the local surgical department and surgical quality review process. Provides a basis for change in practice through findings from research and quality assessment studies. Functions as an advanced clinician and executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to the management of complex surgical patient care. Demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to improve the care for surgical patients. They demonstrate sound decision-making and judgment and possess excellent interpersonal skills. Assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates delivery of surgical care based on specific quality components. They collaborate with members of the interdisciplinary team, leading to process improvement initiatives related to surgical quality. Collects eligible surgical data in accordance with standardized data definitions for designated surgical procedure @types based upon probability of postoperative mortality and morbidity. Follows procedures per established policies, guidelines, and the National Surgery Office (NSO). The incumbent is responsible to the assigned rating and approving supervisors, Chief of Quality Management, and is accountable to the Associate Director Patient Care Service (ADPCS). Preferred Experience: Must have 5 years clinical nursing experience. Knowledge of/ experience in the Electronic Health Record Surgical Package for VASQIP data collection. Able to manage programmatic issues related to surgical data. Experience in completing assessments by collecting and evaluating pertinent demographic information, preoperative risk factors, intraoperative information and provide 30-day postoperative outcomes. Knowledge of maintaining competencies in VASQIP definitions, chart reviews and National Surgery Office processes and resources. Participation in surgical performance improvement activities. Current experience preferable. Work Schedule: Monday -Friday , Shift TBD Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. 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/12836549. 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 man Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires potentially long periods of combined walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable or working effectively in stressful situation, able to shift priorities based on needs of the organization. The incumbent who provides off-site training may be required to travel occasionally. This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care, and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling 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 recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. 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) Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's 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.
