The Assistant Chief (AC) Sterile Processing contributes to the oversight of all supervision, administrative management and direction of Sterile Processing Service (SPS). The AC provides administrative duties to include, conducting quality assurance audits, maintaining sterilization records, completing dashboard data, providing educational in-services, completing suspense items, completing action plans, assisting with budget preparation and management.

Duties

The AC assists the Chief in overseeing subordinates within SPS. Assists in training and coaching employees through demonstration, oral and written instructions. Responsible for training, documenting and evaluation of staff abilities and competencies. Recommends staff selection, assigns staff work, and provides direction to subordinate staff. AC prepares reports on activities of the department and maintains required records of personnel e.g. competencies, functional statements, in-service documentation. The AC will plan and project staffing needs and requirements and provide them to the Chief. Assists in interviewing applicants for the department positions; assures work schedules are developed and posted in a timely manner; coaches and counsel's employees to meet productivity and quality standards/expectations, and assists in preparing and reviewing competencies, performance standards, performance appraisals and evaluations. The AC provides oversight in the development, implementation, coordination, maintenance and evaluation of critical and semi-critical medical devices with the RME program. Reviews the acquisition of new equipment and advises using services of anticipated delivery dates. Controls the release of any new equipment until verification of SOPs have been developed and communicated to staff. This includes coordination across services and/or disciplines which can influence the organizational mission, vision, values and strategic priorities for RME. Monitors, analyzes and provides consultation on infection control issues regarding RME. Participates in clinical rounds to assist in the verification of each service's SOPs for RME. Investigates the need for any manufacturer and model-specific SOP required for new RME at the time of the acquisition request. When new SOPs are required, obtains the necessary information from the manufacturer or vendor. Responsible for developing, updating, and writing policies and procedures including Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) and Job Instruction (JI) sheets/documents. The AC is to be knowledgeable and serve as the expert of the Real Time Location System (Censitrac). This includes entry and removal of RME from the system and the running of reports. Reviews the acquisition of new equipment and advises using services of anticipated delivery communicated to staff. This includes coordination across services and or disciplines which can influence the organizational mission, vision, values and strategic priorities for RME. Monitors, analyzes, and provides consultation on infection control issues regarding RME. Assists in the verification of each service's SOPs for RME. Investigates the need for any manufacturer and model-specific SOPs required for new RME at the time of the acquisition request. When new SOPs are required, obtains the necessary information from the manufacturer or vendor. Works in coordination with the Chief and Infection Prevention Nurse to ensure SOPs are written to specifications. Assists Lead Medical Supply Technician to revise work schedules based on the experience and training needs of the staff. Monitors and reports on the status of the work. Ensures SOPs and SPS mandates are followed during the performance of workflow. Reviews work in progress or spot checks work not requiring review to ensure completed work meets supervisors' instructions on such things as work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines. Decontamination: Coordinates with Management and Supervisors to receive a full range of reusable medical supplies, instruments and equipment from hospital wards, clinics and operating rooms. Adheres to and reports any non-compliance facility regulations regarding application and removal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Ensures staff decontaminates reusable items by determining the appropriate method for removing gross contamination by means of manual cleaning procedures. Assembly and Sterilization: Ensures that staff follow all device specific Instructions for Use (IFU) and set forth Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while conducting assembly and sterilization procedures. Conducts rounds to review staff adheres to facility regulations regarding application and removal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Validates skill level of staff to ensure the efficient assembly of a wide variety of instrument trays and sets used for medical procedures including the operating room. Ensures quality checks for damaged or missing items of all instrument sets and arranges for replacements, maintenance, or repair as needed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm OR 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Assistant Chief Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. Experience and/or Education Experience: Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; OR 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 Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs. Certification: None English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Preferred Experience: 1. Knowledge of universal precautions and infection prevention. 2. Basic knowledge of medical terminology. 3. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. 4. Level 1 and level 2 Sterile Processing certification or other equivalent. 5. Knowledge of Censitrac or other instrument data tracking system. 6. Experience in a leadership or management role. 7. Experience with writing and updating standard operating procedures/policies. Grade Determinations: GS-09 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Assistant Chief Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-07, which includes: which includes: distributing and prioritizing workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations, assure an even distribution of the workload, assign tasks as necessary to provide new employees with the experience and training required to perform decontamination of scopes and instrumentation in the work area, monitor and report on the status of work, ensure SOPs and SPS mandates are followed during the performance of workflow. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to plan and project staffing needs and requirements. 2. Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds. 3. Ability to manage, direct and adapt work to accomplish program goals and objectives, and meet new and changing program requirements. 4. Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives. 5. Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues. 6. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment, develop options, and make recommendations. 7. Ability to manage, interpret, and present fiscal data (i.e. fund controls, contracts and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs and administer an allocated budget. References: VA Handbook 5005/76 Part II Appendix G47 dated May 28, 2014. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: The position will require heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), pulling hand over hand, walking (8 hours), standing 8 hours), kneeling (1 hour), and repeated bending.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: There is no educational substitution at the GS-9 grade level.

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 George H O'Brien Jr VA Medical Center 300 Veterans Boulevard Big Spring, TX 79720 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]