Direct Jobs
Summary
The Assistant Chief of Sterile Processing Service is responsible and accountable for all elements of nursing processes when providing supervision in the SPS program. Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates outcomes in the SPS program. Assumes responsibility for coordination of SPS focused on high level disinfection - sterilization - sterile storage - infection control and prevention - staff education - self management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
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/12856751
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
... (remaining list items continue unchanged) ...
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Physical Requirements: This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments
This position requires donning and doffing of PPE
This position requires driving to community- based outpatient clinics (CBOCs)
This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
Examples may include but are not limited to: - Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients - Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols
Position specific duties/expectations are detailed in the associated competency and should be performed once the competency has been validated.
Duties
The Nurse III Assistant Chief of SPS at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center executes responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of SPS processes
The Assistant Chief of SPS demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to impact the entire SPS department
The Assistant Chief of SPS is responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level
Major Duties: Provide leadership for critical and semi-critical RMD - including sterile storage - reprocessing - standard operating procedures (SOP) - competency assessment - selection - operation - and maintenance of reprocessing equipment - staff education program for RMDs - and quality management of SPS
Responsible for assisting the Chief of SPS with assessing - monitoring - developing - and implementing corrective action plans for instrument processing - decontamination - sterilization - storage - biological monitoring - and high-level disinfection monitoring through an SPS Quality Management System
Assists with oversight and availability for consultation of non-critical RMD
Assess the environment - analyze trends - transmit data - communicate ideas - develop - and implement policies - initiate programs and systems - and collaborate the management of resources
Have knowledge in areas of patient care practices - microbiology - asepsis - disinfection/sterilization process - adult education - infectious diseases - communication - program administration and epidemiology
Collaborate with the Chief of SPS about evidence-based practice (EBP) infection control relating to sterile processing standards
Specific activities include but are not limited to education program development - evaluating concepts and project development - mentoring staff and medical providers in sterile processing principles and in the implementation of projects - data collection techniques - statistical analysis - and developing evidence based clinical guidelines and protocols
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: 8am-4:30pm - Monday through Friday Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
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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/12856751
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
... (remaining list items continue unchanged) ...
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
Physical Requirements: This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments
This position requires donning and doffing of PPE
This position requires driving to community- based outpatient clinics (CBOCs)
This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
Examples may include but are not limited to: - Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients - Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols
Position specific duties/expectations are detailed in the associated competency and should be performed once the competency has been validated.
Duties
The Nurse III Assistant Chief of SPS at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center executes responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of SPS processes
The Assistant Chief of SPS demonstrates performance and leadership that is broad enough to impact the entire SPS department
The Assistant Chief of SPS is responsible for the documented outcomes at the program or service level
Major Duties: Provide leadership for critical and semi-critical RMD - including sterile storage - reprocessing - standard operating procedures (SOP) - competency assessment - selection - operation - and maintenance of reprocessing equipment - staff education program for RMDs - and quality management of SPS
Responsible for assisting the Chief of SPS with assessing - monitoring - developing - and implementing corrective action plans for instrument processing - decontamination - sterilization - storage - biological monitoring - and high-level disinfection monitoring through an SPS Quality Management System
Assists with oversight and availability for consultation of non-critical RMD
Assess the environment - analyze trends - transmit data - communicate ideas - develop - and implement policies - initiate programs and systems - and collaborate the management of resources
Have knowledge in areas of patient care practices - microbiology - asepsis - disinfection/sterilization process - adult education - infectious diseases - communication - program administration and epidemiology
Collaborate with the Chief of SPS about evidence-based practice (EBP) infection control relating to sterile processing standards
Specific activities include but are not limited to education program development - evaluating concepts and project development - mentoring staff and medical providers in sterile processing principles and in the implementation of projects - data collection techniques - statistical analysis - and developing evidence based clinical guidelines and protocols
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: 8am-4:30pm - Monday through Friday Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
#J-18808-Ljbffr