The purpose of this position is to provide training for all Sterile Processing Services staff at the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System. The incumbent supports the Chief/Assistant Chief, SPS in all duties related to orientation, training, competency, & annual review. The incumbent will provide hands on training & competency to all SPS staff covering the entire process.
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. 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. Certification: None Grade Determinations: GS-07 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Trainer 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: Knowledge of SPS and Infection Prevention regulations. Knowledge of procedures and/or operations in training developed for, and operations of SPS functions for both new and existing staff. Ability to manage integrated training programs as it relates to sterile processing procedures. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel or other software programs in order to complete reports and develop skills. Ability to communicate effectively with staff and management officials in regards to sterile processing procedures. Assignment: The MST Trainer is responsible for developing formal and informal written plans for the SPS training program, in compliance with accreditation organizations and VHA-specific requirements as well as medical center policies and procedures for SPS and related staff. Facilitates training of SPS staff through educational programs and job specific instruction. Improves SPS processes by facilitating the application for new technology of reusable medical devices by training all new and existing staff. Develops, monitors, and revises SPS educational programs for both new and existing staff. Documents and assesses staff's training, to identify areas of strength and need. Develops an education plan (literature review, continuing education, in-services, certification and/or formal education) to maintain and improve knowledge in specialized areas of processing reusable medical devices. Participates in tracking, trending and analyzing education data. Identifies opportunities for improvement, makes recommendations and/or prepares reports based on findings. Develops and conducts the annual review of the SPS preceptor program. Preferred Experience: Sterile processing, procedural experience, trainer/educator experience, Endoscope reprocessing and use. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 7. 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. The work involves repetitive motion at times during the manual cleaning process of RMD. 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 lint free gloves to remove carts from sterilizers. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. May be subject to contact dermatitis from frequent handwashing and potential contact with cleaning agents. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses are unknown. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and tiny amounts 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, equipment alarms, rumbling of carts and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment. Periods of computer use with repetitive motion. This position may require occasional travel away from the duty station. Incumbent must possess and maintain a current valid state driver's license. This position may attend VHA sponsored educational training or certification courses.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties & skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: The Trainer is responsible for developing formal & informal written plans for SPS training program, in compliance with accreditation organizations & VHA-specific requirements as well as medical center policies & procedures for SPS. Training courses & outlines will be reviewed annually & updated as necessary. Facilitates training of SPS staff through educational programs & job specific instruction. Should be well structured, include hands on demonstrations, return demonstrations & an evaluation. Improves SPS processes by facilitating the application for new technology of reusable medical devices by training all new & existing staff. Develops, monitors, & revise SPS educational programs for both new & existing staff & as required to meet new directives & training goals. Documents & assess staffs training, to identify areas of strength & need. Develops an education plan (literature review, continuing education, in-services, certification and/or formal education) to maintain & improve knowledge in specialized areas of processing RMD. Serve as a formal or informal preceptor and/or mentor to staff & as a subject matter expert (SME) point of contact. Participates in tracking, trending & analyzing training, competency & education data for quality assurance reports to identify opportunities for improvement. Identifies opportunities for improvement, makes recommendations and/or prepares reports based on findings. Initiates & or participates in training interventions to change practice based on performance improvement data of manufacturer's instructions for use. Develops & conducts the annual review of the SPS preceptor program. Develops a plan for follow-up training as indicated to achieve competency. Coordinate with Service Chief/ Assistant Chief, Supervisors, RMD coordinator, Quality Assurance RN & other subject matter experts to schedule training presenters as necessary. Conducts continual & annual staff competency review for all SPS staff. Ensures all staff are competent on each SOP ensuring all are completed on time as required by directive and/or Chief, SPS. Must possess the knowledge & skills to train staff to accurately & meticulously decontaminate, process & sterilize a wide variety of complex, medical, surgical, endoscopic & dental devices. Balances the training needs among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization & assures timely accomplishment of the assigned training & tasks. Maintains current knowledge of policies, directives, HSPA guidelines as well as knowledge of ANSI/AAMI & AORN Standards. Is a resource for Medical Supply Technicians (MST) in the loading & operation of sterilizers such as Steam, Steris V-Pro & High-Level disinfecting process as well as reprocessing of endoscopes. Accommodate special & emergent training requirements through consultation & coordination with medical/surgical professional staff. Assists Chief/Assistant Chief, SPS as SME on the proper use, cleaning, & sterilization of RMD & any problems that may arise. Acts as a liaison & SME for SPS to all services to assure their RMD needs are met. Manage SOP for current & new equipment, to include, reviewing, & providing training to all staff. Assess learning needs & develop learning plans with strategies/objectives that meet the needs of staff as well as the service. Develop & assess competencies according to established guidelines & maintain a competency assessment schedule that assures timely & complete assessments that are well documented. Receives extensive training in such areas as the use & functioning of new surgical supplies, instruments & equipment. Training sessions may include video tapes, lectures, hospital magazines & literature. Maintain communications with manufacturer representatives, & professional organizations for SPS. Responsible for disseminating the training to MST & assessing for comprehension & the correct application of training as well as monitoring of ongoing competency. Reads research-based literature & then utilizes that knowledge in clinical problem solving & training programs. Uses evidence-based knowledge to improve SPS practices & outcomes. Complete training coursework & competencies as required by VHA. Obtain & maintain VA Level II certification per VHA directive. Adhere to all VHA Directives & Memorandums. Work Schedule: Variable This position requires flexibility in schedule & assignments. May work a variety of tours to ensure departmental, training, staffing and patient care needs are met. Off tours, weekend and holiday work which is an unsupervised tour is required to ensure adequate coverage and to meet RMD directives. May be on call at any time as required by management. Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60842-0