This position is for a Registered Nurse (RN), Assistant Chief of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) at the Richmond VA Medical Center. The Assistant Chief is responsible to the RN Chief of SPS and the Associate Director for Patient Care Services through the Chief of SPS and assists in planning, designing,integrating, implementing, modifying and evaluating the Sterile Processing Service.

Duties

Duties for this position include but are not limited to the following: Functions as a supervisor and provides oversight for the administration of leave, counseling and disciplinary actions in collaboration with the Chief. Acts as the Chief during times of Chief absences. Assists in planning, designing, integrating, implementing, modifying and evaluating the Sterile Processing Service. Provides direct oversight for the hospital's supply management, assuring needed resources are provided to clinical areas while reducing hospital cost of managing and moving supplies. Analyzes supply chain workflow in clinical areas, developing and implementing process improvement. Oversight of the national policy pertaining to the reprocessing of reusable medical equipment throughout the total health care system. Assures the health care system's reprocessing of all RME performed with high reliability according to current manufacturer's instructions wherever these processes are performed and regardless of who is performing them. Responsible for standard operating procedures and staff training programs at all levels for sterile processing, disinfecting processes, other types of cleaning equipment, and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment throughout the healthcare system. Maintains a professional relationship with infection control clinicians, clinical leaders and all contracted facility departments and vendors to ensure effective, efficient support of daily operations of all activities that relate to the reprocessing of reusable medical supplies and instrumentation. Develop and collaborate with the Office of Quality and Safety, national Quality management metrics to ensure expected actions and outcomes. Assumes responsibility and accountability for all professional nursing actions. Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with the ethical resolution process at the medical center. Responsible and accountable for assisting with timely employee evaluations, timely maintenance of competency folders, and continuous survey readiness. Analyzes resources available and identifies risk areas which include budgetary, staffing, supplies and equipment or availability of data/information. Facilitates open exchange of ideas between peers, management, and staff; creatively responds to and evaluates suggestions for improvement. As directed by Chief, conducts staff meetings to facilitate communication, disseminate information, lead and promote interdisciplinary interaction and problem solving. Prefered Experience 1-2 years of successful nursing practice with leadership and administrative abilities.-Has demonstrated professional and clinical skills in areas where reusable medical equipment (RME) is used; is familiar with reprocessing requirements of RME. Preferred Experience Selective Placement Factor Quality Ranking Factor USA Staffing Users Name Certification:-International Association for Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM) Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or VA equivalent (VA Certified Registered Medical Supply Technician (VA CRMST) preferred. [If VA CRMST is not present on hire it is required within one year of employment.]-Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates Certification (SGNA), preferred-Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Certification, Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday through Friday Tour of Duty: 7:00 am to 3:30 pm

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/12590280. 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: The physical requirements of this position include lifting, prolonged standing, frequent bending, stooping, walking, reaching and repetitive motion. The mental/sensory requirements include recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing, keyboarding, reading and logical thinking. The environment's pace can vary from steady to sometimes fast paced, requiring handling of multiple priorities, frequent, sometimes intense customer interactions, and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes-noisy environment. There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease, illness and hazardous materials.

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 Central Virginia VA Health Care System 1201 Broad Rock Boulevard Richmond, VA 23249 US
• Name: Jennifer Oates
• Phone: 910-885-5742
• Email: [email protected]