The Chief Nurse, Sterile Processing Service (CN, SPS) is a subject matter expert (SME) with a background and experiences in reprocessing and sterilization programs. You will provide executive leadership and direct supervision to staff at CTVHCS.

Duties

The surgical service complexity includes Orthopedic, Ear, Nose & Throat, Plastic Surgery, Urology, Vascular-Thoracic, General Surgery, Gynecological, Oral Surgery, Podiatry, and Cardiac Catheterization Lab. These services utilize complex instrumentation which includes a robust robotic surgical program for multiple surgical services, and a pain management procedural program. The CTVHCS has major interdisciplinary teaching facility with care- and service-lines serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients, with an Emergency Department, and multiple community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC). The primary setting for this position is in all clinical areas of the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System and CBOCs where reprocessing of critical and semi-critical RMD occurs. You will collaborate with areas who utilize SPS services. You are 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. Responsible for the planning, direction, and management of all SPS programs for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System. The duties of this position are highly specialized and require an in depth knowledge of overall SPS. You will have an in-depth knowledge of SPS management requirements. Much of the work required is time sensitive and complex in nature having a direct and immediate impact on healthcare delivery. Provide executive leadership and direct supervision of the Assistant Chief, SPS and front-line supervisors of the CTVHCS SPS Service. Work collaboratively within your individual areas with the identified partner clinical Service Chief. Assess, plan, and evaluate the processes and daily operations of the SPS decontamination and sterilization department in multiple distinct and physically separated locations in the Central Texas Region. Oversee management of the central point within the Hospital from which medical/surgical supplies, instruments, case carts, and designated equipment are received, processed, and packaged for distribution to surgical/patient care areas. Processing includes the collection and receipt of soiled and contaminated items from all areas within the Hospital. Items are decontaminated by utilizing appropriate cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilization methods as dictated by the manufacture instructions and instruction for use (IFU). Sterile preparation is accomplished by the assembly, packaging, and terminal sterilization of items for use throughout the facility. Instrument sets or trays contain from 20 to over 150 different types of non-complex and complex surgical instrumentations. 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: Full-time; Monday-Friday; primarily administrative hours, but may be required to work outside of regular business hours based on needs of the service. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for a highly qualified individual. Recruitment incentive authorized for candidates new to Federal Service or separated from Federal Service for at least 90 consecutive days. Relocation incentive authorized for current Federal Service employees who are required to move more than 50 miles from current address for this position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: This position is not bargaining unit.

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. 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. Master's or Doctoral Degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission (ACEN-Formerly NCLAC) or the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Preferred Experience: -Experience leading and/or managing multiple programs or services -Professional/Shared Governance experience -Change/project management experience/certification (combination of experience and training is acceptable) -Evidence-based practice experience -Systems Redesign and/or Lean/Six Sigma experience/training/certification (combination of experience and training is acceptable) -Experience in a Magnet or Pathway to Excellence designated facility 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: The position requires moderate to heavy lifting (15-44 pounds and over), light to heavy carrying (up to 45 pounds and over), straight pulling (1-2 hours), pushing (1 hour), reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, walking (8-10 hours), standing (8-10 hours), repeated bending (0.5 hours), both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), mental and emotional stability, simple grasping (2-4 hours), sitting (8 hours), fine manipulation (4-8 hours), and twisting (2 hours).

Education

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN), or Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission On Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Verification of accreditation may be obtained from http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm or https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp

If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

If your school was accredited by ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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.

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 Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]