The incumbent of this position serves as the SPS/Operating Room (OR) liaison between OR staff and SPS service. The employee has an important role in monitoring QA activities within the SPS department and OR regarding all loaner and consigned instruments within the facility.

Duties

Duties: Implements and maintains a standardized process for the inventory and quality initiatives within the organization as it relates to the reprocessing, storage, and documentation of Loaner/Consigned instruments and equipment. Supports the health care team to evaluate, modify and implement changes to surgical procedural trays collaboratively with end user services and reports to the Chief of SPS any modification or changes that are needed. Coordinates with the multidisciplinary team performing, planning, developing, monitoring, and controlling costs, schedules, quality, and risk, mitigation strategies as it relates to loaned and/or consigned surgical instruments and equipment to the facility and maintains appropriate and accurate documentation. Serves as Acting Supervisor of Sterile Processing Services, Lead Medical Supply Technician, SPS Educator, Censitrac Coordinator, and RME Coordinator in that person's absence. Maintains a current,-n-depth knowledge of the SPS Quality Assurance (QA) Program. Coordinates and ensures a balance of the workload among QA monitoring employees in accordance with established work flow or job specialization on a daily, weekly and monthly basis to assure an even flow and distribution of work. Supports and implements, coordination, training, and ongoing maintenance support within SPS. Provides monitoring, analysis and consultation on SPS/OR workflows as it relates to quality processes and facilitates improvements. Interprets data in accordance with statistical principles, Gives formal training and orientation on material handling, sterilization techniques, operation of sterilizers, principles of packaging sterile material, storage correct sterilization and decontamination methods, RME, safety, body mechanics, and quality assurance monitoring techniques. Prepares various Quality Assurance Reports for higher level supervisors. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm; Monday to Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.) English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. 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. 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. 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 7: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Practical knowledge of conventional fact-finding or investigative techniques in order to evaluate internal work processes. Skill to develop, analyze and evaluate facts relative to unsatisfactory conditions or trends. Knowledge of and skill in applying various methods and techniques for investigating, analyzing and recommending corrective action on complex quality problems. Knowledge of the SPS policies and procedural manuals, infection control procedures, and accrediting agencies and quality assurance guidelines to assure appropriateness of work during quality assurance reviews. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and other software programs. Thorough knowledge of aseptic principles and techniques, which include sterilized operations, sterilizer mediums, and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. Assignment. The MST Coordinator monitors quality assurance in the cleaning/decontamination, sterilization, reprocessing, and distribution of surgical instruments and technical medical equipment processed in SPS, ensuring proper procedures are followed and the items are safe for use. Ensures national sterile processing standards are followed in the process of cleaning/decontamination, sterilization, reprocessing, and distribution of critical and/or semi-critical reusable medical equipment. Coordinates training that is well structured and includes appropriate materials. Ensures staff is competent for reprocessing critical and semi-critical RME by reviewing actual demonstration of tasks. Coordinates with hospital staff (e.g. operating room, emergency department and clinics) on critical and semi-critical medical equipment to ensure compliance with all national and local directives. Updates the Chief (or designee) on patient safety alerts and issues concerning reusable medical equipment. Establishes and maintains frequent contacts with interdisciplinary staff and outside vendors and manufacturers. Preferred Experience: 3 to 5 years MST References: See VA Handbook 5005, 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 lighed. 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 Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 109 Bee Street Charleston, SC 29401 US
• Name: Shaundrel Land
• Phone: 4042457329
• Email: [email protected]