The Nurse Assistant Chief of Sterile Processing Services (SPS) is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process and supports a high-quality focus when providing supervision in the SPS program.Assumes responsibility for the coordination of the sterile processing service focused on high level disinfenction, sterilzation, sterile storage, infection control and prevention, staff educaation, self-management, and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care.
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); OR A graduate level or doctorate degree in health care/management related fields from an institution accredited by the State and approved by the Department of Education at the time the candidate completed the program may be credited as specifically indicated in grade requirements. The graduate level or doctorate degree and coursework must provide evidence in support of the nursing role and duties associated with the assignment and grade level. Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees. 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/12798725. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position requires physical ability fo rpotentially long periods of walking (8 hours) with instances of walking on slippery or uneven surfaces, standing (8 hours), repeated bending (8 hours, repetitive motions, or kneeling (8 hours); heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), heavy carrying (45 punds and over), straight pulling (8 hours), and pushing (8 hours); work in environments with excessive noise, intermittent noise, and constant noise; work with and manage chemicals such as solvents (degreasing agents), disinfectants, detergents, etc.; work around machinery with moving parts, working around moving objects or vehicles, working with hands in water, working near others; requires adequate vision: near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception and the ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); ability to operate transport equipment, work independently; requires ability for donning and doffng of PPE; driving to community-based outpatients clinics (CBOCs); working outside and inside; excessive heat; excessive humidity.
Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Leads initiatives to improve the Veteran experience to ensure appropriate and safe point of use cleaning, reprocessing, transport storage and maintainance and identify risks environment of care concerns, beyond the immediate practice setting. Demonstrates leadership in patient advocacy by protecting the health, safety, and rights of patient population groups impacted by SPS services beyond the immediate practice setting. Leads staff to identify, analyze and address ethical issues that impact patients and staff beyond SPS setting. Models' high reliability principles and I CARE values to improve the consistency of SPS delivery and patient outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting. Communicates and collaborates as an effective leader of the interprofessional team, at the expert level, with improved evidence-based and/or data-drived outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting. Serves as liasison between SPS and other departments. Contributes to the effective utilization of resources, budgetary allocation and fiscal management. Makes selections, assigns personnel and provdes direction to subordinate staff. Enhances knowledge base and practice evaluation, at the expert level, with improved outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting. Manages the training, documenting and evaluating of staff. Leads the identification and inegration of evidence-based practice/research with clinical expertise to improve quality of care and resource utlization at the expert level with improved outcome beyond the immediate practice setting. Develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate in compliance with regulatory and accrediting organizations. Meets the needs of all customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service mission. 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: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: This position is eligible for Ad Hoc telework only. Ad Hoc Telework is telework that occurs on an occasional, non-routine basis. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized