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 Risk Manager RN assumes the following major duties and responsibilities:
1. 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.
2. The RM 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.
3. The RM 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.
4. The RM 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.
5. The RM monitors the Risk Management Program compliance with VHA policy, The Joint Commission standards and other regulatory agency requirements.
6. The RM serves as a risk management resource/consultant at the facility and Network level.
7. The RM provides consultation to the clinical staff regarding high risk, potentially liable situations.
8.The RM plans, develops and conducts education and training programs related to risk management and related quality management topics.
9.The RM collaborates with Deputy Chief and Chief QMS in the daily integration of risk management into the PI Program.
10.The RM 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.
11.The RM investigates and provides resolution to facility small tort claims.
12.The RM 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.
13. The RM performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Experience:

1. Minimum of one-year current experience in Risk Management.
2. Demonstrated 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.
3. Current demonstrated proficiency in reviewing and processing medical malpractice claims, medical advisory opinions, and expert knowledge of the protected peer review process.
4. Highly skilled in data extraction, display (use of statistical tools), analysis, and detailed report preparation, with meticulous attention to detail.
5. 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.
6. A 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.
7. Demonstrated 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.
8. Other preferred qualifications: Juris Doctor (JD), Risk Management Certificate, Health Law Certificate, etc.

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 to 1600
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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.)

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:

• License
• Resume
• Transcript

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

Next steps