Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Quality Assurance/Education (QA/ED) Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for providing competent, evidence-based care to assigned patients and oversight of licensed vocational nurses/nursing assistants, as appropriate to the setting. The individual will assist in directing the provision of nursing education, orientation, competencies and providing quality improvement and outcomes utilization consultation.

Duties

The Quality Assurance/ Education (QA/ED) Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Nurse scope of practice includes a full range of knowledge and skill in applying sterile processing standards for sterilization and high-level disinfection of reusable medical equipment. Major duties include, but are not limited to: The incumbent possesses expertise in education practices and learning theory for education of Sterile Processing Services. He/she has VHA SPS Level One Training and is IAHCSMM CRCST certification eligible. In the leadership role, the QA/ED SPS Nurse participates in assessing the decontamination, high level disinfection/sterilization process inside and outside of SPS. The incumbent participates in assessing the environment, analyzing trends, transmitting data communicating ideas, developing, and implementing policies, initiating programs and systems and collaborating in the management resources. The incumbent has knowledge in areas of patient care practices, microbiology, asepsis, disinfection/sterilization, adult education, infectious diseases, communication, program administration and epidemiology. The QA/ED SPS Nurse demonstrates expertise and comprehensive understanding of the decontamination/ high level disinfection/sterilization process as well as infection prevention and control practice issues. The QA/ED SPS Nurse role involves clinical, administrative, research and educational components, which impact patients and health care personnel throughout the medical center. The incumbent ensures the practice of nursing and SPS is consistent with the external standards such as Joint Commission, AORN, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Disease Control (CDC) and AAMI and internal standards such as clinical practice guidelines and the Performance Measures for preventive health and chronic disease management. The QA/ED SPS Nurse plays a leadership role in ongoing systematic evaluation and improvement of quality and effectiveness of nursing care and patient outcomes. The incumbent assesses educational needs of the nursing and ancillary staff and implements an education plan to meet these needs. The QA/ED SPS Nurse collaborates with other clinical and service lines within the Martinsburg VAMC as well as health departments to exchange knowledge and share clinical expertise. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: ???????Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): ??????????????Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12574571. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking and standing. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The position may require long periods of sitting thought meetings and/or at the computer. The position may require extensive travel both regional and national. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment

Contacts

• Address Martinsburg VA Medical Center 510 Butler Avenue Martinsburg, WV 25405 US
• Name: Heather Knight
• Phone: 304-596-4302
• Email: [email protected]