Summary This position is located in the Division of Quality, Healthcare Risk & Patient Safety Department at Phoenix Indian Medical Center, under Phoenix Area IHS. The main function of the position is to support the Healthcare Risk Management Program and coordinate efforts to assess and mitigate the risk of harm to patients, liability exposure to healthcare providers, and financial loss to the facility. Responsibilities Healthcare Risk Management Program Coordination Coordinates service unit programs designed to reduce risk at all levels within the health care delivery system to mitigate harm to patients, liability exposure to healthcare providers, and financial loss to the agency. Demonstrates knowledge of current concepts and principles of performance improvement, the medical center's improvement methodology and framework, and external review standards. Works within general programmatic authority delegated by Department Leadership, Executive Leadership, and Governing Board. Receives and reviews all investigations of incidents/accidents/events that could lead to financial loss, including professional and general liability, and determines appropriate response. Reviews policies and methods by which a patient may be dismissed from care or refused care and reviews cases of patients being dismissed from care or refused care to assess for potentially compensable events. Coordinates Administrative Tort Claims, interfacing with legal counsel, medical staff, supervisors, directors, and executive leaders. Coordinates inquiries from government agencies, media, and advocacy groups. As necessary, chairs the Patient Safety and Risk Management Committee meetings and reports to Quality Council and Governing Board. Healthcare Risk Analysis Monitors program compliance with IHS policy, accreditation bodies and other regulatory agency requirements. Analyzes risk assessment data utilizing electronic health records to review patient medical treatment and plan of care. Reviews clinically based patient complaints and grievances for potential sources of legal action. Discusses and offers solutions when possible to resolve with patient and/or families any grievances perceived as having potential for Administrative Tort Claims. Coordinates identification and addressing of potential Administrative Tort Claims, including the sequestering of medical records, and the investigation of medical accidents and near miss events. Maintains Risk Management statistics and case files in a locked area ensuring maximum confidentiality and protection from discoverability. Healthcare Risk Mitigation Responds to risk events according to documented organizational policy and procedures. Participates in root cause analyses and proactive risk assessments, and facilitates Risk Management educational programs. Utilizes current trends and relevant theory to identify, analyze, and resolve problem areas in Risk Management. Assesses compliance to ongoing competency of staff. Assesses compliance with applicable government regulations, healthcare accreditation standards, and all contractual agreements. Informs Department and Executive Leadership and regarding healthcare occurrence issues and risk management suggestions. Provides feedback to managers at all levels to eliminate risks and assists the Clinical Directors and Department Managers in designing risk management programs within their departments. Initiates interdisciplinary projects to improve organizational performance. Performs other duties as appropriate to the position. Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) Requirements Conditions of Employment Must pass pre-employment examination. Selectee may be subject to a probationary period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes. Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required. Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities. The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/. You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process. Qualifications To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S) Education: A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs , Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. Degree from Foreign Nursing School: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (external link) is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools. Licensure: For all grade levels and positions, applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination . In addition, they must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. Experience: The work experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. At the GS-9 and above grade level, many positions may require experience in a specialty area of nursing In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GS-11: One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks Examples (1) Participates in service unit programs designed to reduce risk at all levels within the health care delivery system to mitigate harm to patients, liability exposure to healthcare providers, and financial loss to the agency. (2) Knowledgeable in current concepts and principles of performance improvement, the medical center's improvement methodology and framework, and external review standards. (3) Works within general programmatic authority delegated by Department Leadership, Executive Leadership, and Governing Board. (4) Utilizes electronic health records to review patient medical treatment and plan of care. OR PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or related medical science field. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Education This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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 Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives may be authorized and is subject to availability and service unit approval. If offered, you will be required to sign a one (1) year service agreement. Failure to fulfill the service agreement will result in repayment of the incentive. The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit: For IHS - http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/ For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/ For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps This position has no promotion potential