Careers

The VA Central Iowa Health Care System is recruiting for one (1) full-time Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Assistant Chief for the Sterile Processing Service Line. This is an advanced performance level position in Sterile Processing Service as an Assistant Chief. In this position, the incumbent is responsible for assuring the availability of medical and surgical supplies, instrumentation, and equipment for the medical center. 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. Certification. None. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Grade Determinations: GS-09 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Assistant Chief (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8), which includes: Reading and interpreting written procedures and selecting appropriate action in order to instruct staff in correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments; Communicating orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules and regulations; Demonstrated skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers; Demonstrated knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures; Leading individuals, managing priorities, and scheduling work assignments. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to plan and project staffing needs and requirements. 2. Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds. 3. Ability to manage, direct and adapt work to accomplish program goals and objectives, and meet new and changing program requirements. 4. Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives. 5. 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. 6. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment, develop options, and make recommendations. 7. Ability to manage, interpret, and present fiscal data (i.e. fund controls, contracts and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs and administer an allocated budget. (c) Assignment. The Assistant Chief contributes to the oversight of all supervision, administrative management and direction of the SPS. Oversees all decontamination, sterilization and disposition of facility critical and semi-critical RME. Develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate in compliance with regulatory and accrediting organizations. Contributes to the effective utilization of resources, budgetary allocation and fiscal management. Makes selections, assigns personnel and provides direction to subordinate staff. Manages the training, documenting and evaluating of staff. Serves as liaison between SPS and other departments. All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package. Preferred certifications: CRMST certification, and IHHCSMM or HSPA certification. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/83 PART II APPENDIX G47 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: This work is performed in an office but may require transition to 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, needle sticks, and other injuries from handling equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting sterile products and packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. 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 insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses are unknown. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions, and bits 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, rumbling of carts and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment. Occasional Travel: This position may offer occasional travel away from the duty station to attend VHA sponsored educational training or certification courses. ["Quality SPS services are essential and require technical expertise, timeliness and compliance with infection control and other guidelines to positively impact patient treatment and wellbeing. The position requires knowledge of VA SPS policy requirements in order to function as a technical authority and resource. The nature of the work environment places the Assistant Chief in a key position requiring tact, diplomacy, and reliable decision-making abilities to carry out assigned responsibilities and is responsible for assisting the Chief of SPS on: 1. Technical oversight of all reprocessing of RME and equipment used in reprocessing wherever such reprocessing occurs within the facility regardless of organization alignment.\n2. All functions of SPS and the RME program, regardless if organizational alignments are functioning effectively; this includes decontamination, preparation, case cart and distribution, proper procedures for cleaning of reusable equipment are implemented.\n3. Ensures the incorporation of all aspects of the SPS infection control standards into day to day operations. Complete training coursework and VA SPS certification as required for a Sterile Processing Technician position in the VA. Maintain certification by completing approved, annual Continuing Education Units (CEU) and annual in-service hours. Reusable Medical Equipment\nThe incumbent is expected to have a thorough and complete working knowledge of all SPS operations rotating among the various duty assignments in SPS. Assignments include infection prevention, decontamination, instrument preparation, sterilization (steam and hydrogen peroxide), equipment, high level disinfection, maintenance, and supply, storage, and issue. Incumbent communicates and networks with all patient care areas utilizing RME to ensure appropriate training regarding the same occurs and that all are receiving appropriate support, resolving issues as they occur, regardless of tour of duty. For \"after hours\" issues, incumbent must respond quickly and effectively. Ensures secondary inventory points are inventoried and replenished on a regular and timely basis. Responsibilities include training Lead Technicians in monitoring/analysis on inventory consumption, identifying any stock level excesses or deficiencies, adjusting supply levels without wastage as appropriate. Ensures the activities of the Medical Supply Technicians are supervised and coordinated to accomplish all RME reprocessing correctly and in a timely manner. Incumbent ensures a process is in place for the completion of competencies and annual training requirements for all personnel involved in the reprocessing of RME. Incumbent provides input and final approval for monthly, quarterly, and annual in-service training based on NPOSP and regulatory inputs. Ensures all SOPs and competencies that relate to SPS operations and RME are updated and/or revised and indexed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.\nTelework: Not available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required."]