Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The Registered Nurse is responsible for coordinating the Safe Patient Handling initiative including but not limited to developing and implementing an overall strategic plan for safe patient handling and movement.

The incumbent is responsible for collaborating with services and departments to implement a needs assessment; develop/coordinate employee educations plan for injury prevention and proper usage of equipment and actively participates in the selection of mechanical lifting devices and other equipment aids during performance of high-risk patient/resident handling tasks.

The incumbent is also responsible for the continuous evaluation and improvement of the AMAVAHCS for SPHM. In collaboration with the managers, creates a positive work environment which enhances care delivery and professional development of clinically competent staff. The incumbent will take an active role during the design phase of renovation and new construction of clinical patient areas regarding inclusion of SPHM technology with the aim of reducing the cost of installation and purchasing of SPHM equipment.

The incumbent ensures that planning, design and construction phases of new construction and renovation projects, including major, minor, NRM, and station-level equipment projects, incorporate appropriate and necessary patient handling and mobility equipment at all facilities, including SPHM input in any areas traversed by patients.

Promotes, creates, demonstrates, and ensures a culturally diverse workforce in which the values and needs of all individuals are respected. Member of Patient Care Board, Chair of SPHM Committee, and other committees as assigned. Other duties as assigned. The SPHM supports the facility/VISN policy of providing a culture of safety, ensuring that patients/residents are cared for safely while maintaining a safe work environment for employees.

The incumbent provides leadership in the assessment, implementation, and evaluation of the SPHM Program. The incumbent participates in the review of patient and employee safety incidents which may also include lost and restricted work time and costs associated with injuries (direct and indirect), associated with patient handling. The incumbent collaborates with multi-disciplinary team, network of SPHM experts, VA Safety Center, and approved vendors to achieve the programs goals. The incumbent reports performance metrics in a timely manner.

The incumbent promotes use of established assessment criteria, plan of care and algorithms for safe patient handling and movement. The SPHM develops and coordinates staff educational programs including providing oversight for Unit Based Patient/Resident Safety Liaison training and activities.

The incumbent develops policies, procedures, protocols, etc. as needed to support safe patient handling and movement. Conducts a unit-based ergonomic assessment in all areas for areas providing patient care, in-order-to identify hazards related to patient handling and mobilization and strategies.

The incumbent will maintain all unit-based ergonomic assessments in a current status. The incumbent will participate in Environment of Care (EOC) rounds and/or meeting. SPHM participates in and provides oversight for equipment selection; educational sources and purchases to meet current and future needs for safe patient handling and patient safety education.

The SPHM Coordinator assures compliance with performance measures and standards of accrediting bodies.The SPHM-C promotes evidence-based practice for safe patient handling and movement and patient safety education.

Shares expertise in safe patient handling and movement by participating in professional organizations, consultation, presentations and/or publication. Using an analytical framework, the SPHM Coordinator evaluates program outcomes with Occupational Health, the Office of Workman's Compensation and Pension and Safety Office by monitoring trends, identifies performance improvement opportunities, initiates actions, and reporting status of SPHM Program to facility leadership.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (07:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards
Telework: To be determined by agency (Ad-Hoc)
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

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.)

• 2 years of actue/critical care or 2 years LTC experience preferred.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps