The Sterile Processing Services (SPS) Chief is a highly collaborative nurse expert who will be responsible for planning, organizing, developing, implementing and controlling the SPS Division at both the Milwaukee and Green Bay campuses. SPS is the central point from which Veteran care related medical and surgical supply inventories and reusable medical equipment (RME) are received, processed, decontaminated, packaged and sterilized for distribution throughout the Medical Center and CBOC's.

Duties

This Supervisory Nurse Path provides opportunities to influence procedural care, by assisting in the implementation and sustainment of strong infection control practices, in relation to equipment and instrumentation, throughout the facility. The SPS Chief has oversight supervisory oversight of licensed and non-licensed staff. The SPS Chief position reports directly to the Associate Director for Patient and Nursing Services. This position is full-time day shift with 24/7 accountability. Responsible for identifying and maintaining SPS standards in accordance with AAMI and AORN standards for the practice of all services and contributing to the fulfillment of the mission in surgical and clinical areas. Leads the establishment of effective relationships, working in a collaborative manner with other disciplines throughout the medical center. Responsible for assessing, monitoring, developing and implementing corrective action plans for instrument processing, reprocessing Reusable Medical Equipment (RME), decontamination, sterilization, biological monitoring and high-level disinfecting monitoring. Influences and implements changes concerning the decontamination and high-level disinfection/sterilization processes both within and outside of SPS to enhance productivity and/or standards compliance. Responsible for ensuring the availability and control of a large number of separately recurring reusable medical/surgical supplies and equipment, which have difficult supply and demand patterns due to the mission of the facility. Assures compliance with accreditation standards. Actively contributes to major policy decision of personnel, budget, position management, public and community relations, program and organizational changes, patient care, andimplications. Responsible for the recruitment, hiring and placement, counseling, disciplinary actions, promotions and terminations of nursing, technical, administrative and clerical staff assigned within the Division. Solicits assistance from, or responds to, inquiries from outside regulatory agencies such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Association of Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), The Joint Commission (TJC), Association of Operating Room Nurses, Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). when necessary. Maintains a detailed in-service training program to ensure staff receives the minimum continuing education units to maintain certification and or competency. Uses supervisors to direct, coordinate, and oversee work. Exercise significant responsibility in dealing with service chiefs of other departments and in advising management officials in high rank. Finds and implements ways to eliminate or reduce significant barriers to production, promotes team building, and improves business practices. 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: Day Shift with 24/7 availability. Telework: Employee will be considered for ad hoc telework after 6-months. 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: Minimum of 3 years Nurse Manager experience with progressive duty assignments Certification preferred (i.e. Nurse Manager, Surgical/Procedural Services, Facility Flow) Working knowledge of surgical processes, and an in-depth knowledge of sterile processing policies and procedures Demonstrated leadership in improving and sustaining the quality and effectiveness of care Experience in writing administrative documents such as proposals, requests for funding/staff, policies/guidelines/standard operating procedures, and responses to inquiries from internal/external entities. Knowledge of statistics and computer programs Knowledge of principles of quality and performance management, patient safety and evaluation techniques. High level of emotional intelligence Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 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: Walking, bending, stooping, and some lifting. There may also be extended periods of sitting.

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 Clement J Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center 5000 West National Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53295 US
• Name: Ranelle Cieske
• Phone: 414-758-6011
• Email: [email protected]