Summary The RN Assistant Quality Manager (AQM) position is a developmental position for progression to a Quality Manager position. The AQM is a licensed registered nurse who meets the educational, experiential, and competency requirements defined in the Nurse Qualification Standards with demonstrated knowledge and skills related to clinical and nursing practice. The AQM demonstrates leadership in the application of the improving outcomes at the program or service level. Responsibilities Designated first-line supervisor authority for the department, in conjunction with Chief, Quality Manager, responsible and accountable for operations of the department, including administrative, ensuring subordinates are managing programs effectively and efficiently. The AQM demonstrates leadership in the application of the nursing process to patient care, organizational processes and/or systems, and improving outcomes at the program or service level. The focus of the individual's performance encompasses a combination of clinical, administrative, educational and research The AQM performs at a level that affects units, services or the entire medical center. Works closely with the Chief, Quality Manager to develop skills that demonstrate leadership and creative approaches to management of a complex organizational quality management program. The AQM assists in planning, designs, integrates, implements, and modifies quality management (QM) activities and assists at the service level for organizational wide performance. The AQM will be knowledgeable of all programs under the QM umbrella to include Risk Management, Patient Safety, Joint Commission Standards and Criteria, External Reviews, VASQIP, Correspondence Management, and Performance Measures. The AQM contributes to departmental and/or facility policy development, planning, and evaluation that affect the delivery and quality of care provided. She/he collaborates with Quality Management staff to promote quality and facilitate consistency in performance improvement efforts. The incumbent also serves as a resource for clinical and ethical issues. AQM is the designated first-line supervisory authority for the department. In conjunction with the Quality Manager, is responsible and accountable for operations of the department, ensuring that subordinate personnel are managing their programs effectively and efficiently. As management and leadership skills grow, the AQM has the authority to accept, amend, or reject the work of subordinates and has continuing and progressive responsibility for the following functions: 1) Planning work to be accomplished by subordinates, setting priorities and preparing schedules for completion of work; 2) Assigning work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and he requirements of the assignments, and the capabilities of subordinates; 3) Evaluating the performance of subordinates; 4) Giving advice, counsel, or instruction to subordinate personnel on work and administrative matters; 5) Hearing and resolving complaints of subordinates and referring more serious complaints not resolved to higher level supervisors; 6) Recommending and/or taking disciplinary action where appropriate; and 7) Identifying developmental and training needs of subordinates and providing or making provision for such development and training. - In collaboration with the Chief, QM, responsible for providing clinical and administrative recommendation to senior leadership relative to quality assessment and improvement functions. Assists in planning, designs, integrates, implements, and modifies quality management activities and assists at the service level for organizational wide performance. Knowledgeable of all programs under Quality Management umbrella, i.e., Risk Management, Patient Safety, Joint Commission Standards and criteria, etc. Contributes to departmental and/or facility policy development, planning, and evaluation that affect the delivery and quality of care provided. Collaborates with QM staff to promote quality and facilitate consistency in performance improvement efforts and serves as a resource for clinical and ethical issues. In absence of Quality Manager, assumes responsibility for departmental functions. Performs others duties as required for the position. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Telework: Ad-hoc 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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 Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: Attention to detail, effective communication, collaborative and highly organized Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. The Carl Vinson VA Medical Center is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical and psychiatric inpatients and outpatients. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on organizational needs. This position potentially requires flexibility in assignments. The incumbent must be poised and articulate in communicating verbally and in writing. S/he is willing to work cooperatively as a member or leader of a team in all assignments, makes the veteran his/her priority while in the work setting and demonstrates customer service principles in all aspects of work. She/he is self-motivated in the pursuit of meeting professional work standards. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated 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.