Supervisory Medical Supply Technician - Sterile Processing Chief

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.

01Basic 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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED); OR Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grandfathering Provision. 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: 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.

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. 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.

02Grade Determinations

In addition to the Basic Requirements you must also meet the following criteria for this grade level. GS-10 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician - Chief of Sterile Processing 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: Ability to implement and incorporate regulations, policies, and procedures to manage SPS operations.

Ability to evaluate new products and equipment, develop options, and make recommendations. Ability to integrate SPS managerial duties, which includes strategic planning of facility organizational goals and integration of SPS vision and values within the organizational mission. Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues.

Skill to initiate and lead interdisciplinary groups in order to facilitate daily SPS functions. Ability to analyze and interpret fiscal data in order to forecast resource and equipment needs.

03Preferred Experience

3 - 6 years Sterile Processing experience, 2 - 4 years Leadership Experience, and Sterile Processing related certification. 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-10.

04Physical Requirements

The work requires some walking and standing during a normal workday. Some lifting and carrying of moderately heavy items are required occasionally.

Serves as the Chief for Sterile Processing Service (SPS). The incumbent is the Chief, Sterile Processing Service (SPS), responsible for the planning, direction and management of all areas of the SPS department to include Decontamination, Sterile Preparation, Non- Biological Implantable Devices, Reusable Medical Device reprocessing and Inventory Control for the Indianapolis VA Medical Center.

Indianapolis VAMC is a facility in VISN 10, composed of a highly complex integrated healthcare system including a multiple Operating Room (OR) specialties, a full-service Dental clinic, ENT/Speech Clinic, and Cardiac Cath Lab and Community Based Outreach Centers (CBOCs).

Provides 24-hour accountability for the management of critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME) in the Medical Center and oversees non-critical RME in the Medical Center and off-site locations such as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). This Chief functions as an administrator, educator and consultant utilizing change management theory and systems thinking approaches to guide sterile processing and RME.

The Chief Sterile Processing Services collaborates with nursing and physician leaders to provide and promote optimal safety and adherence to nationally accepted guidelines while monitoring compliance with accreditation standards, including the planning and implementation of programs to improve outcomes and develop a culture of continuous survey readiness.

The Chief Sterile Processing Service assesses, plans and evaluates the processes and daily operations of the sterile processing area and RME program within the context of the operations of procedural areas including the surgical services operating suite and all surgical subspecialties for both inpatient, outpatient and community-based programs. The Chief has oversight of RME within the Medical Center and CBOCs including but not limited to purchasing, cleaning and disinfecting, storage, and clinical staff education.

The Chief provides input regarding business acumen ensuring alignment with the Medical Center, VISN, and VHACO. Responsible for continuous quality Improvement projects that result in improved services to all users of RME. Responsible for developing policies and procedures that meet the infection prevention standards set by AAMI, AORN, IAHCSMM, and the CDC and for monitoring compliance with those policies to meet established local, VISN, VHA and Joint Commission requirements for safe patient care.

Identifies and promotes staff development. Demonstrates leadership within a program area that influences the practice of services or programs throughout the medical center. Utilizes collaborative skill to foster interdisciplinary practice. Influences the organizational mission and the outcomes of the provision of health care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 06:30am - 2:30pm, Tour is negotiable. Telework: Ad-hoc Telework may be available in accordance with agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 92954-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.