This position serves as the Chief of the Sterilization Processing Service (SPS) at the Cheyenne VA Health Care Center. This position is aligned under the Associate Director Patient Care Service (ADPCS). The Chief of SPS plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates all SPS activities as necessary to effectively administer SPS operational requirements as outlined in the applicable VHA Directive for SPS.

Duties

The Chief Nurse, Sterile Processing Service (SPS) provides executive leadership and direct supervision to staff at Cheyenne VA Health Care System (CVAHCS). The surgical service complexity includes, Orthopedic, Ear, Nose & Throat, Urology, General Surgery, Gynecological, and Podiatry. These services utilize complex instrumentation which includes a robust robotic surgical program for multiple surgical services, and a pain management procedural program. The primary setting for this position is in all clinical areas of the CVAHCS and CBOCs where reprocessing of critical and semi-critical RME occurs. The SPS Chief collaborates with areas who utilize SPS services. The Chief SPS, is designated as the primary point of contact to work with all services from which patient care medical/surgical supply inventory, instruments, and equipment are received, processed, packaged, and distributed. Chief SPS is responsible for the planning, direction and management of all SPS programs for the CVAHCS The duties of this position are highly specialized and require an in depth knowledge of overall SPS. Much of the work required is time sensitive and complex in nature having a direct and immediate impact on healthcare delivery. The Chief of SPS evaluates Standard Operating Procedures annually as a required review to determine risk factor and ensures competency assessment is completed on each employee annually. Reviews SPS Inventory Management System (such as Censitrac, SPAT, RITMS, RMD audits, EPRP, VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program, Performance Measures, Employee Satisfaction, and other data for trends and early intervention; formulates follow-up plans with Nurse Executive Team, Nurse Managers, the service, and the medical center. The Chief of SPS is accountable for managing all resources to include human, material and financial. The incumbent reports directly to the ADPCS. 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 Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: N/A Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse IV - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 3-4 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

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 Cheyenne VA Medical Center 2360 East Pershing Boulevard Cheyenne, WY 82001 US
• Name: Aaron Duran
• Phone: (405) 456-2224
• Email: [email protected]