The Associate Chief Nurse of Sterile Processing Service (ACN of SPS) is responsible for the administrative functions of the SPS program and participates in committees or workgroups that impact all aspects of sterile equipment or reusable medical devices (RMD) in the organization.

Duties

The ACN of SPS provides health system-wide leadership for critical and semi-critical RMD, including reprocessing, SOP's, competency assessment, selection, operation, and maintenance of reprocessing equipment, staff education program for RMD and quality management of SPS. The incumbent is responsible for assessing, monitoring, developing, and implementing corrective action plans for instrument processing, decontamination, sterilization, biological monitoring, and high-level disinfection monitoring through an SPS Quality Assurance Program. Additionally, the incumbent maintains oversight and availability for consultation of non-critical RMD. The incumbent assesses the environment, analyzes trends, transmits data, communicates ideas, develops, and implements policies, initiates programs and systems, and collaborates in the management of resources. The ACN of SPS has knowledge of areas of patient care practices, microbiology, asepsis, disinfection/sterilization process, adult education, infectious diseases, communication, program administration and epidemiology. The incumbent has responsibility and oversight of evidence-based practice (EBP) infection control relating to sterile processing standards. Specific activities include but are not limited to: Education program development, evaluating concepts and project development, mentoring staff, and medical providers in sterile processing principles and in the implementation of projects, data collection techniques, statistical analysis, and developing evidence based clinical guidelines and protocols. The ACN of SPS responsibilities include management of two distinct and physically separated concepts of sterile processing services which includes general decontamination, sterile processing, GI scope decontamination, and GI scope high level disinfection areas. The decontamination units are solely responsible for the collection and receipt of all used soiled supplies, instruments, or equipment. The knowledge to determine specific methods for cleaning, disinfecting, or pre sterilizing diagnostic equipment and medical apparatus is critical. The sterile preparation units are responsible for assembly, packaging, and terminal sterilization of all trays, sets and packs for use through the hospital to include the clinics, operating room, and procedural areas. The ACN of SPS demonstrates leadership in developing and maintaining productive working relationships with groups in medical programs and services across the organization. They also develop productive relationships with groups in other administrative/support programs such as engineering, biomedical engineering, environmental management services, logistics, education, or Quality, Safety, and Value department. As a direct report to the ADPCS, the incumbent demonstrates continuous responsibility and accountability for integrated programs that cross service and or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and safe, infection-free health care. They serve as the subject matter expert for all SPS activities and provides consultation and expertise to executive leadership when called upon. The scope of the SPS department is wide-reaching and the consultative information provided to executive leadership impacts the healthcare system at all levels. Collaborates in the development and implementation of standard operating procedures relating to sterile processing and infection control practices throughout the healthcare system. Collaborates with surgical vendors that provide instrumentation allowing the agency to maintain inventory par levels that support complex surgical cases. This requires the incumbent to plan for acquisition of specialized surgical instrumentation related to expansion or addition of new providers and surgical services. The ACN of SPS co chairs the Hospital Reusable Medical Equipment Committee and provides reports to local leadership, VISN, and the National Program Office for Sterile Processing. 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 0730 - 1600 Telework: Ad Hoc as determined by the Agency Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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: Health Care Processing Association certificate 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. Nurse V - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN (or a Bachelor's degree in a related field) and approximately 5-6 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree (preferred) in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 4-5 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. Physical Requirements: ACNs require visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and lifting of at least 35 pounds. Transferring/lifting patients and objects may be required. Staff may be required to don protective equipment in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. They may also be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Travel to Community Based Outpatient Clinics may be required. The ACN of SPS must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. They may be exposed, on a short-term basis to fumes, dust, and other debris. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as HSTVA is a 24/7 health care system, and Nurses are identified as an essential worker.

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 Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital 800 Hospital Drive Columbia, MO 65201 US
• Name: Noverson Vitug
• Phone: (816) 382-2872
• Email: [email protected]