The incumbent of this position serves as a monitoring specialist for all Quality Assurance (QA) activities of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) across all clinics and CBOBs. Duties will include management of the Cincinnati VAMC and will include management of all high-level disinfection conducted outside of SPS and the outlying VA Outpatient Clinics and CBOCs. The position demands a complete conceptual and practical working knowledge of all SPS functions.

Duties

The major duties of this position will include: Develops, implements and evaluates plans with the Nurse Educator for SPS educational programs in compliance with the accrediting agency requirements, policies and procedures. Managing the department's orientation program, in-service training, and SPS training course. Evaluates educational outcomes and develops a plan for follow-up education as indicated. Maintains the SPS library of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Maintains documentation of all education and training activities, tracks employee continuing education units, and provides feedback and support to the supervisors, SPS Chief and Assistant Chief on program and personnel readiness. Conducts Quality Assurance monitoring on all activities performed in SPS, to include, simple and complex instrument cleaning, endoscope reprocessing, surgical instrument tray preparation, sterilization monitoring, case cart assembly, mechanical equipment efficacy testing and staff training and competency documentation. Ensures all SOP/Competency documents are up to date and accurately reflect the manufacturers IFUs. Monitors cleaning and sterilization equipment operation and ensure efficacy testing is conducted to ensure proper operation. This position requires the incumbent to utilize Reusable Medical Equipment (RME). Compiles inspection reports and coordinates correction of deficiencies with the appropriate Service Chief, Clinic Manager, or other responsible party. Manages records for all SPS staff competencies for inspection and verification purposes. Works with the Nurse Educator to ensure staff are trained and successfully complete applicable SOP/competency assessments prior to reprocessing RME. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Available as determined by the service and for 1-2 days per pay period. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91283-0 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. 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. 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-07 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Quality Assurance: (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of fact-finding and investigative techniques in order to evaluate work processes. 2. Ability to analyze data and make recommendations to correct quality control problems. 3. Knowledge of sterile processing operations, infection control procedures, and Joint Commission requirements to assess compliance during quality assurance reviews. 4. Ability to compile information, evaluate facts, document findings and prepare reports. 5. Thorough knowledge of aseptic principles and techniques to maintain quality control. 6. Ability to effectively communicate with technical and professional staff on the proper use of delicate instruments and equipment, and resolve problems that may occur. References: VA Handbook 5005/76, Part II, Appendix G47. Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. The incumbent usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another in performance of assigned duties and is also required to travel throughout the medical center observing the processes in place in different services. Incumbent will be required to lift 50 pounds with repeated bending and twisting. The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The employee wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warm. The employee uses insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses are unknown. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or reusable medical equipment. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment.

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 Cincinnati VA Medical Center 3200 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220 US
• Name: Amanda Flores
• Email: [email protected]