Registered Nurse- Falls Prevention Program Coordinator

Summary

The Nurse Falls Prevention Program Coordinator, focuses on individual growth and development of a Falls Prevention and Management Program in practice with increased levels of self-direction and responsiveness. The nurse brings basic Falls Prevention principles and theory with application of critical thinking skills and implementation ability. Responsible for producing and disseminating an evidenced-based, cost-effective Fall Prevention Program based upon the Veteran population.

Duties

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Recruitment and relocation incentives are authorized for highly qualified applicants. The Falls Prevention Coordinator is a Registered Nurse responsible for the development, implementation, evaluation, and ongoing enhancement of a comprehensive, system-wide Falls Prevention and Management Program at Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. This role serves as a subject matter expert in fall prevention practices and is dedicated to improving patient safety, clinical outcomes, and staff education related to falls and mobility safety across the care continuum. The incumbent serves as the subject matter expert and facility lead for all fall prevention and post-fall management processes. The coordinator collaborates with nursing leadership, interdisciplinary teams, Quality Management, Patient Safety, and unit-based champions to analyze trends, identify system gaps, and implement sustainable interventions that reduce fall-related injuries among Veterans. he Falls Prevention Program is based on national standards, evidenced-based practice and outcomes research in accordance with the scope of practice. Primary responsibilities for this position: Coordinates and leads a comprehensive falls prevention program across inpatient, outpatient, long-term care, and specialty areas. Analyzes fall data trends and completes root cause analyses (RCAs) for significant events. Chairs or co-chairs the Falls Prevention Interdisciplinary Committee. Develops evidence-based protocols, risk assessments, and interventions to mitigate fall risk. Educates and consults with staff regarding fall prevention strategies, mobility safety, and safe patient handling practices. Developing patient/caregiver education programs for fall and injury prevention. Collaborates with nursing leadership, patient safety, physical therapy, environmental services, and other departments to ensure a safe environment of care. Participates in performance improvement initiatives, quality reviews, and accreditation readiness efforts. Supports post-fall huddles and debriefings and ensures timely and accurate reporting in accordance with VHA policy and regulatory bodies. Establishing and maintaining a facility Fall Prevention policy and fall clinical practice guidelines based on evidence. Maintains flexibility with a high degree of interpersonal skills, effective communication, leadership, motivation, self-direction and ongoing evaluation of activities. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 3 years of clinical nursing experience in an acute care hospital setting Previous experience in patient safety, quality improvement, or risk management roles Demonstrated experience coordinating or leading hospital fall prevention programs or related safety initiatives Strong knowledge of fall risk assessment tools (e.g., Morse Fall Scale, Hendrich II) and evidence-based fall prevention strategies Experience conducting root cause analyses and contributing to performance improvement plans Familiarity with regulatory standards related to patient safety, such as those from The Joint Commission and CMS Proven ability to educate and engage interdisciplinary teams on fall prevention practices and policy adherence Experience collecting, analyzing, and reporting data to monitor trends and drive quality outcomes Excellent communication, facilitation, and leadership skills to collaborate across nursing, therapy, and ancillary departments Master's degree in Nursing National specialty certification (e.g., CPPS Certified Professional in Patient Safety, or related) preferred 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 Pay Schedule: NY67 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: Full-time; Based on the needs Telework: Available; Ad-hoc telework may be authorized at Supervisory discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized

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.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinatio