Summary
This position is located at the Billings Area, Fort Peck Service Unit, in Poplar, MT. This is a component of the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Program. The incumbent of this position will serve as the RN Patient Safety and Risk Manager, providing direct staff support to front-line staff and others in the development, implementation, and coordination of a Patient Safety and Risk Management Program.
Duties
- Manage Patient Safety and Risk Management Program under direction of QAPI Supervisor
- Conduct Risk Assessments and Develop Corrective Action Plans
- Provide Staff Education in areas of Safety and Risk
- Serve as Service Unit Safety Officer
Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:
A housing subsidy of up to $668.70 per pay period without dependents or $891.69 per pay period with dependents may be available in Poplar, MT.
Open Until Filled: This announcement is open until the vacancy is filled. It may be extended or closed prior to the current closing date. The first cut-off date for applications is 10 business days after it opens (January 13) and every 10 business days thereafter until filled (01/28, 02/11, 02/16, etc.)
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
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.
Adherence to the IHS Employee Immunization Policy, SGM 21-04, and the IHS Circular 2016-04 requiring Measles and Rubella, COVID-19, and seasonal influenza immunizations for staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities OR an exemption request will need to be submitted.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit .
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(),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(external link). 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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Basic Requirements for the GS-11 (or equivalent) Grade Level: In addition to the above requirements, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
- Successful completion of a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or related medical science field; or
- At least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-9 grade level) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree from a professional nursing educational program.
Basic Requirements for the GS-12 (or equivalent) Grade Level
In addition to the mandatory license and education described above under Basic Requirements applicants must have at least one or more full years of professional nursing experience that is equivalent to the next lower grade level.
In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below-
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
Your resume must demonstrate at least 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:
GS-11: Participated in process improvement activities in the areas of healthcare risk mitigation and/or patient safety. Familiar with Joint Commission Standards related to Patient Safety and Risk and has participated in conducting assessments and developing corrective action plans. Knowledge of risk assessments and how to utilize them to create process improvement. Presented information in group settings to educate the audience about a topic. Organizational skills to manage data, deadlines, and project management.
GS-12: Responsible for coordinating patient safety protocols and providing education to the staff about new procedures. Perform regular assessments of patient safety and the efficiency of the staff. Conduct risk-management training and risk analyses to determine potential risks. Ensure patient and staff safety, respond to claims of clinical malpractice, address, patient complaints, and comply with federal and state regulations by review medical records for liability issues. Facilitate Root Cause Analysis and Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis activities and reporting. Responsible for making sure that the hospital or healthcare center as a whole embraces the overall culture of safety, providing regular training and retraining courses to staff. Improve patient outcomes, reducing risks, eliminating errors, implementing best practices and national initiatives, monitoring compliance, and leading organizational change.
Time In Grade (Merit Promotion Candidates Only)
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
This position will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and Veterans' Preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see . Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements. To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must substantively exceed the basic qualifications and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and any other requirements.
Click here to view vacancy questions: . All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 06/23/2025, to be considered.
Required Documents
Resume: You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed, annual salary, and description of job duties. Include name and address of employer; supervisor name and telephone number.
Required as applicable for the purposes of specific eligibility and appointment claim(s), and position requirements:
Indian Preference Applicants: If claiming Indian preference, applicants must provide a completed copy of the Form BIA-4432, "Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS Only." Indian preference will not be given unless a properly signed and dated form is submitted with your application, including any verification by an authorized Tribal Representative or BIA Official of tribal enrollment records. For detailed instructions, see form BIA-4432. Refer to BIA-4432 link: . When an Indian Preference candidate possesses Veterans preference the rules regarding Veterans preference apply under ESEP and the applicant must provide documentation in order to receive preference.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP, follow the instructions below: .
Licensure, Certifications: Applicants should list their license/certifications on their resume, along with the expiration date, if applicable. Certification of licensure/certification will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.
The first cut-off date for receipt/referral of applications to be considered for available vacant positions will be 10 business days after the JOA open date 01/07/2025 and every other Tuesday thereafter 01/24, 02/04, 02/18, etc.
You must meet the requirements of the job by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date: 06/23/2025