The Assistant Chief of Sterile Processing Service (SPS) assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates outcomes in the Sterile Processing Service program. Oversees all decontamination, sterilization and disposition of facility critical and semi-critical resuable medical equipment (RME).
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: (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or (2) 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 (3) Experience/Education Combination- Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Certification: None. Grandfathering Provistion: All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. (2) MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Preferred Experience: 5 years experience in sterile processing services or surgical services with progressive experience in a leadership role required. Certification in sterile processing services related field required, or ability to complete within one year of hire. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: This position requires physical ablility for potentially long periods of walking (8 hours) with instances of walking on slippery or uneven surefaces, standing (8 hours)., repeated bending (8 hours), repetitve motions, or kneeling (8 hours); heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), straight pulling (8 hours), and pushing (8 hours); work in environments with excessive noise, intermittent noise, and constant noise; requires the ability to appropriately work with and manage chemicals such as solvents (degreasing agents), disinfectants, detergents, etc.; work around machinery with moving parts, working around objects or vehicles, working with hands in water, working near others; requires adequate vision: near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception and the ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); ability to operate transport equipment, work independently; requires ability for donning and doffing of PPE; requires driving to community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs); working outside and inside; excessive hear; excessive humidity.
Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Leads and organizes sterile processing services program that impacts delivery of sterile processing programs operational aspects with an added emphasis on delivering critical and semi-critica reusable medical device services to all areas where it is needed. Applies advanced sterile processing service technical and clinical knowledge/judgment to lead staff involvement in planning, decision-making, and evaluating outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting. Applies advanced expertise and obtains required sterile processing knowledge to lead improvement, with demonstrated outcomes, beyond the immediate practice setting. Communicates and collaborates as an effective leader of the interprofessional team, at the expert level, with impoved evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting. Serves as liason between sterile processing services and other departments. Contributes to the effective utilzation of resources, budgetary allocation and fiscal management. Makes selections, assigns personnel and provides direction to subordinate staff. Leads educational initiatives that expand knowledge to improve outcomes for sterile processing services. Manages the training, documenting and evaluating of staff. Devleops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate in compliance with regulatory and accrediting organizaitions. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: This position is eligible for Ad Hoc telework only. Ad Hoc Telework is telework that occurs on an occasional, non-routine basis. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized