The incumbent is the Supervisor of Sterile Processing (SPS). 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 incumbent rotates assignments among various sterilization processing, decontamination, basic and complex surgical tray assembly, and reusable inventory, medical equipment processing.

Duties

The incumbent is the Supervisor of Sterile Processing Service (SPS), for the TVHS Campuses. 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. Work Schedule: 3rd Shift; based on needs of the service 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 Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with Veterans Affairs Handbook 5005. 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: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-08 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification requirements: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Examples of duties include; but are not limited to: 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; and/or instructs employees on work-related activities, policies, procedures and goals. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. Preferred Experience: NA References: VA Handbook 5005/76, Part II, Appendix G47, Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standard, GS-0622, Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08 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. 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 Tennessee Valley HCS - Nashville 1310 24th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37212 US
• Name: Jeffrey Libby
• Phone: 254-500-8476
• Email: [email protected]