Registered Nurse - Risk Manager

About the role

The Risk Manager RN is responsible for the management, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of the medical center's Risk Management Program in accordance with applicable Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directives, VA policies, and regulatory requirements.

The incumbent provides leadership in identifying, assessing, monitoring, and mitigating clinical and organizational risks to promote patient safety, improve healthcare quality, and support a culture of high reliability.

What you will do

• Manages, coordinates, implements, and evaluates the medical center's Risk Management Program in accordance with applicable VHA directives, VA policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Provides oversight of risk management activities, including VHA Quality and Patient Safety Programs, Peer Review for Quality Management, tort claims, administrative investigations, and disclosure of adverse events to patients.
• Conducts clinical practice reviews throughout the medical center to assess compliance with established standards of care, clinical practice guidelines, and organizational policies.
• Reviews clinical outcomes and healthcare resource utilization to identify potential risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improving patient safety and quality of care.
• Coordinates and maintains databases and tracking systems related to tort claims, peer reviews, and other risk management activities.
• Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates clinical and administrative data to identify trends, potential safety concerns, and areas requiring corrective action.
• Collaborates with medical center leadership, clinical providers, nursing staff, and administrative personnel to identify and address risk management concerns.
• Provides consultation and recommendations regarding appropriate utilization of healthcare resources and opportunities to improve efficiency and patient-care outcomes.
• Assesses organizational risks, develops appropriate methods for evaluating identified concerns, and recommends corrective actions to improve patient safety and healthcare delivery.
• Conducts timely follow-up on identified risks and corrective actions to evaluate effectiveness and promote sustainable improvements.
• Develops, coordinates, and provides risk management education and training to medical center staff regarding applicable policies, procedures, reporting requirements, and patient safety practices.
• Monitors changes in VHA directives, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) guidance, and applicable regulatory requirements to ensure local policies and procedures remain compliant.
• Systematically evaluates current healthcare processes and recommends improvements based on professional nursing standards, clinical evidence, and organizational performance data.
• Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement initiatives to assess healthcare delivery, reduce risks, and improve patient outcomes.
• Compiles, analyzes, and communicates risk management data and findings to medical center leadership to support strategic planning, organizational decision-making, and performance improvement.
• Participates in and leads interdisciplinary committees, workgroups, shared governance activities, and patient safety initiatives.
• Supports implementation of high reliability principles and promotes a culture of safety, accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Serves as a clinical and professional resource to nursing staff and interdisciplinary healthcare professionals regarding risk management, patient safety, and evidence-based practices.
• Identifies educational and competency development needs related to risk management and coordinates appropriate staff education and training.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement evidence-based practices that improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of patient care.
• Promotes effective communication, teamwork, professional accountability, and ethical decision-making while maintaining a respectful and supportive work environment.
• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive patient, employee, and organizational information in accordance with federal laws, VHA directives, and medical center policies.
• Supports continued accreditation readiness and compliance with applicable Joint Commission, regulatory, and organizational standards.
• Demonstrates leadership in improving Veteran-centered care by addressing concerns related to patient experience, safety, timeliness, and coordination of services.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• 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, 0800-1630 Telework: AD-HOC as needed by agency.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

• 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 (***).
• 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 evaluation.
• 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.

How you will be evaluated

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.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA.
• When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued, and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

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.

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.

Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.