The VA Puget Sound Healthcare System is recruiting for one RN to perform duties as part of the Sterile Processing Services team. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. See the Duties section below for more details.
Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification. Grade Determinations: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12721338. Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I, Level I Delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies. An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional professional nursing required. Nurse I, Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts, cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required. Nurse I, Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning. Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations. An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others. A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience. Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting. MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III. *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. Preferred Experience: 3 years experience in a reprocessing environment and/or use of reusable medical devices (RMD). 2 years experience training staff at various experience levels from no experience to tenured staff for both non-nursing and nursing staff. Ability to interpret and implement MIFU's aka manufacturer instructions for use or IFU's instructions for use. Develop standard operating procedures (SOP's) and competencies based off of MIFU or IFU. Provide a variety of training modalities presented by the educator and vendors, in a face to face setting and online Experience using a tracking system e.g. Censitrac for reusable medical devices. Ability to assess competencies, document results, maintain a database of staff competencies. Ability to make share point changes as needed and provide appropriate access levels to users. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Functional (physical) Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), pushing, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, repeated bending, both legs required, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors.
Responsible for providing competent, evidence-based education and training to all SPS staff. The SPS Nurse Educator understands instructional design, implementation, and application related to education and training. Performs learning needs assessments, develops educational trainings for SPS staff within organization. Assists with the orientation of new employees, evaluation of their progress in the orientation process, and development and implementation of a learning plan for improving identified deficiencies. Develops proficient level coaching and mentoring skills. Systematically evaluates current practice, formulate outcomes for groups of patients and/or organizational processes within area of expertise. Reviews current literature for new trends and changes based on evidence-based research with the ability to propose practice and documentation revisions based on evaluation of outcomes. Collaborates with leadership and unit managers to identify educational training needs for staff, while supporting activities that foster competence, critical thinking, and decision making. Demonstrates competency and familiarity with the Operating Room (OR) and SPS structure and procedures. Capable of developing policies and procedures, programs and data processing applications as they pertain to SPS. Provides consultation and collaboration through the participation within organizational committees. Ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate data to determine outcomes and changes related to educational programs. Additional duties will include but are not limited to: Collaboration with the RMD Manager to support clinical educational needs regarding reusable medical devices. Collaborate with the RMD Manager to close facility, VISN, National, and Joint Commission findings. Areas for follow up will be assigned by the RMD Manager. Participation in the following committees: RMD general, RMD Champions, Infection Prevention, and National Educators and RMD managers group. Participation in VISN meetings is by notification from the SPS Chief. Participation in all SPS inspections e.g. facility, VISN, national, and Joint Commission and prepared to present staff competencies and training as needed. Develop reprocessing staff (SPS and GI) annual training curriculum. Work 1-1 and in group settings with SPS frontline staff for regular orientation, specific training needs, and periodic observations of staff reprocessing RMD. Hands on working on the floor with staff for 2-3 hour intervals at minimum three times a month. Research as needed to enhance Sterile Processing processes by identification of supply items or equipment that aides in the reprocessing of RMD. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized