This position is considered a full performance level position and is located in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS), Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VAMC. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required.

Duties

The incumbent is the Supervisor of Sterile Processing Service (SPS), for Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VAMC. SPS is the central point within the facility providing the technical instrumentation functions of collection, decontamination, processing, packaging, sterilization and distribution of all reusable patient care, instruments, and equipment. The SPS is divided into three distinct and separated units: Decontamination, Sterile Preparation, and Equipment Instrumentations Distribution. The decontamination unit is responsible for the collection and receipt of all used, soiled instruments and equipment. Decontamination processing; requires the knowledge to determine what specific means are utilized to accomplish cleaning, disinfecting, or pre-sterilization of complex diagnostic equipment and medical apparatus. Decontamination means the use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate, or destroy blood-borne pathogens on a surface or item to the point where they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface or item is rendered safe for handling, use, or disposal. Sterile preparation accomplishes the assembly, packaging, and terminal sterilization of all trays, sets, and packs for use throughout the facility/system. Most instrument sets or trays contain anywhere from 20 to more than 250 different types of difficult to identify surgical instrumentation. Distribution ensures timely return of processed items to patient care areas. The incumbent rotates assignments among various sterilization processing, decontamination, basic and complex surgical tray assembly, and reusable inventory, medical equipment processing and quality assurance functions. The incumbent may be required to work day's evenings, nights, weekends, and/or holidays. Incumbent must be familiar with all duties performed in SPS, as well as SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures) and manufacturers guidelines. The Supervisory MST is the subject matter expert and have experience all highly complex processes to determine effectiveness of the staff. The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (MST) exercises direct supervisory responsibilities for planning, directing and coordinating the complexities of an activity allowing coverage through SPS. Will oversee and direct the activities of Medical Supply Technicians, OR Core Technicians, and Medical Lead Technicians. Employees supervised are often outside the SPS servicing clinics or areas distant from the primary work center. Makes decisions based on problems presented by leaders; works with heads of other organizations to resolve mutual problems or areas of concern and advises Chief/Assistant Chief and SPS management on problems in the organization and assesses the impact of those problems on the organization's activities and those of related facility/system activities. Plans and assigns work on a daily, weekly and annual basis; sets deadlines, priorities, develops operating instructions, performance standards, identifies equipment requirements, and recommends methods to improve quality and productivity. The employee, considered a specialist in the SPS program area, is responsible for planning and carrying out the work, resolving most of the conflicts that arise, integrating and coordination the work of other SPS employees as necessary and interpreting policy in terms of established objectives. The employee keeps the supervisor informed about progress, potentially controversial matters, issues with far-reaching implications, and intractable problems. Work is reviewed in terms of meeting objectives, primarily through reports provided by the incumbent. Position involves carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a quality assurance monitoring program within a fully operational Sterile Processing Service from which patient care instrumentation and equipment are received and processed. Duties include daily coordination of OR schedule with the OR Nurse Manager to assure there are no delays or cancellations of surgeries due to SPS failures. Knowledge and application of the SPS Policies and Procedures Manuals, VA Handbooks, Infection Control procedures, Joint Commission and Quality Assurance guidelines, and medical equipment suppliers' technical directives are essential for carry out assigned work. Decisions are made regarding how instruments are packaged, wrapped, terminally sterilized by gas or steam, and made ready for redistribution and patient use. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 3:30pm-Midnight Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD0000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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: 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. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the US must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials an such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional US programs.; OR Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Grade Determination: GS-08 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Required Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, Applicants must meet one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-7. The one year of GS-7 level experience includes, but not limited to: Distributes and prioritizes workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations. Assures an even workflow and distribution of the workload. Revises work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload. Assigns work to staff based on experience and training needs. Monitors and reports on the status of 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. Assesses the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of technical medical equipment, material and instrumentation. Provides information to management officials concerning performance issues, assignment changes and task completion. Instructs employees on work-related activities, policies, procedures and goals. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 1. Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds. 2. Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed. 3. Ability to oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RME. 4. 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. 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). All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. (2) MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Preferred Experience: Previous Leadership experience preferred; IAHCSMM/HSPA certification preferred; CRCST Certification Preferred Grade Determinations: GS-8 full performance level References: VA Handbook 5005/76, Part II, Appendix G47 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8 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 work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Memphis VA Medical Center 1030 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 US
• Name: Charity Street
• Phone: 615-695-2157
• Email: [email protected]