Registered Nurse _SPHM
$ 102,950 - $ 186,629 / month
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- Demonstrates leadership and works collaboratively with Nursing & Patient Care Services and all Services within the medical center and it's affiliating CBOCs in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the facility-wide SPH&M Program.
- Provides consultation and training to interdisciplinary staff members regarding evidence- based practices and interventions. Maintains knowledge of current technology and techniques to address patient handling and movement needs
- Develops, implements, maintains, and performs continuous evaluation of the VASDHS Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPH&M) Program.
- Develops and implements SPH&M algorithms for general and specialty populations, e.g. Spinal Cord Injury, Operating Room, and Bariatric.
- Develops the Unit Peer Leader program to facilitate facility-wide maintenance of the SPHM program.
- Provide education at New Employee Orientation for staff expected to perform any form of direct patient handling.
- Analyzes, interprets, and prioritizes ergonomic data, including employee and patient injuries related to patient handling and movement
- Identifies, proposes, and oversees patient handling and movement equipment to meet current and future facility needs.
- Communicates and coordinates with interdisciplinary staff about equipment selection, installation, and maintenance with facility contracting, facilities management and other applicable services.
- Works closely with Logistics staff and the Equipment Committee for identification, purchase, and oversight of equipment to meet current and future needs for safe patient handling.
- Identifies and assesses resource utilization and safety issues related to the provision of safe patient handling.
- Evaluates injuries to employees and patients related to safe patient handling in collaboration with Workman's Compensation and the Safety Officer and takes remedial actions.
- Assesses the educational needs of staff to meet all applicable VA and Joint Commission standards. Coordinates education, training, and expansion of the unit peer leader program to facilitate hospital wide maintenance of the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility program.
- Coordinates safe patient handling and mobility education programs to improve competence of staff in providing safe patient care.
- Collaborates with staff, other disciplines, managers, and clinical nurse specialists to develop strategies for dissemination of information and education regarding the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility program.
- Maintains professional knowledge and expertise in safe patient handling.
- Uses scientific and evidence-based knowledge and clinical expertise to guide the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Program.
- Systematically evaluates and improves the quality and effectiveness of the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Program throughout the facility.
- Complies with Joint Commission patient safety standards, with the objective of identifying, controlling and minimizing loss, and improving and enhancing patient safety.
- Monitors, evaluates, and ensures program compliance with Joint Commission and other accreditation standards.
- Collaborates with staff, departments, and peers to plan and implement strategies to improve/ensure compliance with VHA directives related to Safe Patient Handling and Mobility across all disciplines.
- Serves as a consultant to all staff on safe patient handling issues.
- Provides leadership and coordination of the facility interdisciplinary Safe Patient Handling Committee.
- Provides leadership and coordination of the Unit Peer Leader Committee.
- Collaborates with National and VISN SPHM Coordinators, the VA Safety Center, and manufacturers of patient lifting equipment.
- Consults with staff, other disciplines, and departments regarding safe patient handling and mobility issues.
- Supports the growth and development of Unit Peer Leaders.
- Identifies opportunities for improvement and initiates the performance improvement process.
- Participates in formulating policy or organizational/process changes as a representative of Nursing and Patient Care Services.
- Reviews root cause analysis recommendations and assesses applicability across all VASDHS clinical areas.
- Collaborates with service leaders to plan, implement, and maintain system changes.
- Analyzes and presents both process and outcomes data to leadership; coordinates program outcomes with Environment of Care Committee, Safety Committee, and Quality Council.
- Collects and analyzes data, prepares reports for VASDHS, VISN 22, VISN 8 Patient Safety Center, and national regulatory and accrediting bodies.
- Collaborates with staff, other disciplines, faculty, and peers in developing, conducting, and evaluating SPH&M research activities and programs.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
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.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- 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).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
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: .
*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .
Preferred Experiences: Current experience in Safe Patient Handling and Mobility; BSN, Master's Degree in Nursing, Public Health or Masters in other health related field; Clinical experience; Experience with Patient Safety initiatives including Nurse Sensitive Indicators, National Patient Safety Goals and Performance Improvement within the last 5 years. Experience with Construction Safety and Design. Experience with Environment of Care and Equipment Management; Ability to independently perform complex tasks correctly using critical thinking with application of sound judgment. Education in and experience with statistical methods to collect, store, analyze and display health care data for decision support to improve patient care (quality improvement, staffing knowledge, nurse care delivery methods, fiscal efficiency and process improvement, i.e. LEAN). Demonstrated ability to lead teams, engage leaders and staff through education and collaboration using evidenced based best practices and creative solutions.
Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting and Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling, Pushing, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Keyboarding, Viewing computer screen (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); and Emotional/Mental stability.
- 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 () or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (); 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 ().
- 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.)
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: .
| 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. |
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .
Preferred Experiences: Current experience in Safe Patient Handling and Mobility; BSN, Master's Degree in Nursing, Public Health or Masters in other health related field; Clinical experience; Experience with Patient Safety initiatives including Nurse Sensitive Indicators, National Patient Safety Goals and Performance Improvement within the last 5 years. Experience with Construction Safety and Design. Experience with Environment of Care and Equipment Management; Ability to independently perform complex tasks correctly using critical thinking with application of sound judgment. Education in and experience with statistical methods to collect, store, analyze and display health care data for decision support to improve patient care (quality improvement, staffing knowledge, nurse care delivery methods, fiscal efficiency and process improvement, i.e. LEAN). Demonstrated ability to lead teams, engage leaders and staff through education and collaboration using evidenced based best practices and creative solutions.
Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting and Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling, Pushing, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Keyboarding, Viewing computer screen (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); and Emotional/Mental stability.
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 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 () or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ();
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: .
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
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.
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 at .
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. .
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- 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).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
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: .
*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .
Preferred Experiences: Current experience in Safe Patient Handling and Mobility; BSN, Master's Degree in Nursing, Public Health or Masters in other health related field; Clinical experience; Experience with Patient Safety initiatives including Nurse Sensitive Indicators, National Patient Safety Goals and Performance Improvement within the last 5 years. Experience with Construction Safety and Design. Experience with Environment of Care and Equipment Management; Ability to independently perform complex tasks correctly using critical thinking with application of sound judgment. Education in and experience with statistical methods to collect, store, analyze and display health care data for decision support to improve patient care (quality improvement, staffing knowledge, nurse care delivery methods, fiscal efficiency and process improvement, i.e. LEAN). Demonstrated ability to lead teams, engage leaders and staff through education and collaboration using evidenced based best practices and creative solutions.
Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting and Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling, Pushing, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Keyboarding, Viewing computer screen (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); and Emotional/Mental stability.
- 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 () or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (); 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 ().
- 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.)
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: .
| 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. |
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .
Preferred Experiences: Current experience in Safe Patient Handling and Mobility; BSN, Master's Degree in Nursing, Public Health or Masters in other health related field; Clinical experience; Experience with Patient Safety initiatives including Nurse Sensitive Indicators, National Patient Safety Goals and Performance Improvement within the last 5 years. Experience with Construction Safety and Design. Experience with Environment of Care and Equipment Management; Ability to independently perform complex tasks correctly using critical thinking with application of sound judgment. Education in and experience with statistical methods to collect, store, analyze and display health care data for decision support to improve patient care (quality improvement, staffing knowledge, nurse care delivery methods, fiscal efficiency and process improvement, i.e. LEAN). Demonstrated ability to lead teams, engage leaders and staff through education and collaboration using evidenced based best practices and creative solutions.
Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting and Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling, Pushing, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Keyboarding, Viewing computer screen (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); and Emotional/Mental stability.
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 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 () or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ();
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: .
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
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.
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 at .