Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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The Assistant Chief Sterile Processing Service In the absence of the Chief, serves as a member or in an advisory capacity on committees such as Commodity Standardization, Infection Control, Environment of Care, and Reusable Medical Equipment (RME). The Assistant Chief is required to attend regularly scheduled meetings as assigned to represent SPS and to provide written and verbal reports. Assists the Chief, SPS in developing, directing and maintaining a Quality Control Program ensuring product quality assurance through random sampling, biological monitoring, product assessment and other means, and providing specific reports, in preparing and evaluating future scheduling projects, anticipating future workload requirements to forecast appropriate staffing levels, in managing the SPS Equipment Inventory Listing for equipment assigned to SPS such as sterilizers, washer/disinfector, ultrasonic, sealers through the nonexpendable property program for the assigned facility/system and requests replacement of all equipment under their purview and in conjunction with Chief, SPS, responsible for developing policies and procedures that meet the infection prevention standards set by JC, AAMI, AORN, IAHCSMM and others and for monitoring compliance with those policies to meet established local, VISN, VHA and JC requirements for safe patient care. Knowledgeable and prepared to function as Acting Chief of the service.

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Through subordinate supervisors provides technical and direct supervision to over 50 GS-5 through GS-9 Medical Supply Technicians.
• Manages, directs and adapts work to accomplish program goals and objectives, and to meet new and changing program requirements.
• Issues, adapts, implements and maintains local SPS policies and procedures as applicable to specific facility/system programs.
• Solicits assistance from, or responds to, inquiries from outside regulatory and advisory agencies to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures from organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), Joint Commission (JC), International Association for Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM), Association of PeriOperative Nurses (AORN), and others.
• Responsible for facilitating training in various aspects of SPS, including reprocessing and inventory management. Conducts departmental orientation, training, skills review and assists with educational programs to maintain high staff quality performance standards.
• Works closely with Supply Chain Management to monitor inventory levels to identify and take corrective action on matters relating to potential inventory shortages created because of additional case volume, scrap, or any customer related skills that may exist.
• Responsible for continuous quality improvement projects.
• Oversees appropriate reprocessing of reusable medical equipment (RME) to eliminate risk of infection and to provide timely safe patient care in all patient care areas.

• Must be familiar with which items are reprocessed locally (on unit) and/or which items are sent to Sterile Processing for reprocessing and/or sterilization. If items are transported for reprocessing, must be aware of the individual decontamination steps that must be taken prior to transport of item and the appropriate method of transport; in reprocessing of RME personnel is responsible for following the local Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) drafted in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendations. Sterile Processing and Infection Control should be consulted when clarification of written instructions is needed. Personnel involved in reprocessing any reusable medical equipment based must have documented training in the set up and reply on vendor's verbal instructions, reprocessing and maintenance of specific equipment and validation of competency will be done according to national policy guidelines, reprocessing reusable medical equipment can suspend the reuse of any RME if they suspect that the device was not properly cleaned, disinfected or sterilized according to the SOP and manufacturer's guidelines. Single-use (disposable) medical devices will not be reused or re-sterilized and must have an understanding of the importance of RME and the significant impact through the risk of infectious disease.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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.

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: (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: GS-09

• Specialized Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09 you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8).
  • Specialized experience include but are not limited to Serving as a first-level supervisor responsible for the oversight of a group of MSTs, with administrative responsibility for planning and directing the work. Overseeing attendance and leave, including approval of sick and annual leave and vacation schedules. Informing higher level management of anticipated vacancies or increases in workload. Recommending promotions, reassignments, recognition of superior performance, retention or release of probationary employees or other changes of assigned personnel. Holding corrective interviews with employees, referring disciplinary problems to higher levels of management. Resolving informal complaints of employees and deals with union representatives on personnel matters. Providing technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the organizational unit.

• 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.

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:

• Five or more years of Sterile Processing Service.
• Availability to work any day Sunday - Saturday & any 8-hour shift.

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:
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.

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.

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.

Demonstrated Specialized Experience and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

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.