This position serves as the Assistant Chief of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) and shares fully in the duties, responsibilities, and authorities of the Chief and must support the Chief SPS in establishing and maintaining a methodical and efficient sterile processing program consistent with consumer demands while following all VA directives and regulatory requirements.

Duties

This occupation is being considered for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive (CSI). Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI. The amount of lump sum CSI is determined based on appointment date and may be pro-rated as determined by the end date of the CSI. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. Duties include, but are not limited to: Responsible for assisting the Chief, Sterile Processing Services (SPS), in oversight of all operational and administrative activities of the service. Responsible for the quality management system activities within Sterile Processing Services, to include training, competency assessment, development, and enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOPs). Responsible for continuous quality improvement projects that result in improved services to all customers. Through subordinate supervisors provides technical and direct supervision to all GS-3 through GS-8 Medical Supply Technicians (MSTs) SPS Organization Chart. Manages, directs, and adapts work to accomplish program goals and objectives, and to meet new and changing program requirements. Responsible for direct report staff Annual Performance Appraisals, Timecards, Staffing, and any Human Resource related issues that may arise. Serves as liaison between SPS and other departments. Oversees appropriate reprocessing of reusable medical devices (RMD) to eliminate risk of infection and to provide timely safe patient care in all patient care areas. Ensures all RMD is transported and reprocessed timely for normal workflow operations. Assists Chief, SPS, in managing the SPS Equipment Inventory Listing (EIL) for equipment assigned to SPS such as sterilizers, washer/disinfectors, ultrasonics, sealers, AERs, and all other SPS equipment through the nonexpendable property program for the assigned facility/system and requests replacement of all equipment under their purview as needed. In addition to and in the absence of the Chief, serves as a member or in an advisory capacity on committees such as Infection Control, Environment of Care, and Reusable Medical Device, or any other assigned committee. The Assistant Chief is required to attend regularly scheduled meetings and any audits as assigned to represent SPS and to provide written and verbal reports as required. Issues, adapts, implements, and maintains local SPS policies and procedures as applicable to specific facility/system programs. Assists the Chief, SPS in developing, directing, and maintaining a Quality Control Program ensuring product quality assurance through random sampling, biological monitoring, product assessment and other means, and providing specific reports as required. Solicits assistance from, or responds to, inquiries from outside regulatory and advisory agencies to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures from organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), Joint Commission (JC), Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), Association of periOperative Nurses (AORN), Office of Inspector General (OIG), and others. Responsible for facilitating training of various aspects of SPS, including reprocessing and inventory management. Conducts departmental orientation, training, skills review and assists with educational programs to maintain high staff quality performance standards. Identifies and promotes staff development. Responsible for coordination and integration of production requirements to meet needs of customers, both scheduled and non-scheduled. Assists Chief, SPS in preparing and evaluating future scheduling projects, anticipating future workload requirements to forecast appropriate staffing levels. Works closely with Supply Chain Management/Logistics to monitor inventory levels to identify and take corrective action on matters relating to potential inventory shortages. In conjunction with Chief, SPS, responsible for developing policies and procedures that meet the infection prevention standards set by JC, AAMI, AORN, HSPA and others and for monitoring compliance with those policies to meet established local, VISN, VHA and JC requirements for safe patient care. Knowledgeable and prepared to function as Acting Chief of the service. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:00am - 3:30pm (Schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the department and must be able to be contacted outside of regular hours when applicable) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. Experience and/or Education (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work -OR- (2) Education. One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in health care related courses such as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, and operating room and surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position -OR- (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Certification. None. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations:GS-09 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Assistant Chief Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8), which is defined as: Reading and interpreting written procedures and select appropriate action in order to instruct staff in correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments; Communicating orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules and regulations; Dealing with interpersonal relationships with employees, team leaders, and managers; Working knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures; Leading individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to plan and project staffing needs and requirements. Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds. Ability to manage, direct and adapt work to accomplish program goals and objectives, and meet new and changing program requirements. Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives. Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment, develop options, and make recommendations. Ability to manage, interpret, and present fiscal data (i.e. fund controls, contracts and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs and administer an allocated budget. All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/76 MAY 28, 2014 PART II APPENDIX G47

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Nebraska-Western Iowa HCS - Omaha 4101 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE 68105 US
• Name: Kimberly Harvey
• Phone: 208-891-5798
• Email: [email protected]