Clarification from the agency

Only open to current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs - Health Administration NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties Include but not limited to:

Position reports to the Chief of Sterile Processing Service and has staff responsibility for the daily operational and management of the SPS Section, exercising supervisory authority over the Supervisory, Medical Supply Technicians and in turn with the Team Leads and Medical Supply Technicians. The Section Chief of SPS serves as a technical advisor and consultant, including providing RMD oversight, i.e. the reprocessing of critical and semi-critical RMD.

As the Section Chief of SPS, the incumbent participates in the planning and the facilitation of sterilization of reusable medical devices for use throughout all clinical and patient care areas of the medical center. The incumbent interacts with subordinates, upper management and other staff, customers, vendors and visitors in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner upholding the VA Values. Incumbent oversees subordinates within the SPS organizational structure. Incumbent observes minute details of SPS procedures and products produced. The incumbent assists in training and coaching employees through demonstration, oral and written instructions. The Section Chief of SPS will recommend staff selection, assigns staff work and providing direction to subordinate staff.

The Section Chief of SPS develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate in compliance with regulatory and accrediting organizations. In doing so, he/she contributes to the effective utilization of resources, budgetary allocation and fiscal management.

Incumbent is responsible for developing, updating, and writing policies and procedures (including RMD) for the department including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Job Instruction (JI) sheets/documents. Incumbent keeps statistics and records assigned by the Chief of SPS and provides reports at regular intervals. As part of this work, incumbent will recognize significant trends and makes recommendations regarding them including implementing course correction as needed. Incumbent prepares reports on activities of the department and maintains required records of personnel.

The incumbent assists in identifying developmental and training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development and training. The Section Chief of SPS assists in ensuring all staff are trained and competent to perform duties and arranges through subordinates Level One training to all employees. The Section Chief of SPS, in collaboration with the Chief of SPS and the SPS Educator, maintains a detailed in-service training program to ensure staff receives appropriate training, and continuing education units to maintain certification or competency.

The incumbent partners with the Chief of SPS to maintain a performance improvement/quality control program ensuring product quality assurance through random sampling, biological testing, product assessment and related means. Furthermore, the Section Chief works to meet productivity standards and inventory standards to meet the facility RMD needs. He/she is expected to develop the technical requirements necessary to subsequently order and manage recurring medical and non medical items including appropriate electronic inventory management systems and techniques including the identification of the location of any reusable item at any given time using inventory software and hardware.

The employee plans work, develop recommendations, and refines the methods/techniques to be used in SPS which typically involve the interpretation of substantial data, application of criteria to a variety of operating situations. The employee is required to apply for and interpret VA and JCAHO policies, procedures, manufacture guidelines and other regulations. These guidelines are not always fully applicable to specific conditions or specific enough to apply to many situations. Consequently, the Section Chief must interpret policies to conform to local levels and ensure that staff perform duties to meet the regulations. At times, the incumbent may have to assess situations complicated by conflicting/insufficient data and analyze information to determine the applicability of established procedures and the need to deviate/modify from normal methods, techniques, and standards to assure that the SPS department meets productivity and quality standards.

These positions may be authorized for a Special Salary Rate (SSR). The SSR is currently pending approval, and salary levels may be adjusted accordingly upon final authorization.

Work Schedule: Fulltime; Various tours to be negotiated upon selection; May include weekends
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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.
• English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.
• 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.

Creditable Experience

• Knowledge of Current MST Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with MST responsibilities. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as a MST.
• Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MST experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
• Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a MST is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MST employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service.

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).

Grade Determinations: GS-09 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Assistant Chief

• 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 plan and project staffing needs and requirements.
  • Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds.
  • Ability to manage, direct and adapt work to accomplish program goals and objectives, and meet new and changing program requirements.
  • Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives.
  • 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.
  • Ability to evaluate new products and equipment, develop options, and make recommendations.
  • 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.
• 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.

Preferred Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of Sterile Processing experience. Willing to obtain Medical Supply Technician certification within a year of employment.

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-9.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.