Experience Inc. Jobs

Summary We're currently recruiting for a Full-Time Registered Nurse for our Sterile Processing Services. This position acts as Assistant Chief of the sterile processing service and operates as the manager of day to day functions within the service. A qualified applicant will have extensive knowledge of sterile processing of all types of reusable medical equipment as well as 5+ years of experience in a hospital based sterile processing environment. This position reports to the SPS Service Chief. Responsibilities VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Sterile Processing Services (SPS) RN Assistant Chief is the second in command leading the Sterile Processing department under the direction of and in synchronicity with the sterile processing service chief. The incumbent will oversee processing of all Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) throughout the medical center, while contributing to the improving care through interdepartmental and inter-professional collaboration. The Assistant Chief is responsible for assuring the availability of RME the Operating Room, clinics, and inpatient units. Quality SPS services are essential and require technical expertise, timeliness, and compliance with infection control standards and other guidelines to positively impact patient treatment and well-being. The Assistant Chief will be required to posses the knowledge of service policies and central office directives to function as a subject matter expert. The incumbent will be responsible for managing day-to-day SPS functions and staff including processes and activities as necessary to ensure comprehensive effective RME compliance with the VA's Office of Sterile Processing and ISO 9001 standards and requirements, as well as VHA Directives. The SPS Assistant Chief (RN) works closely with inter professional colleagues, especially the Infection Control, Peri-operative Services, Supply Chain, and all departments using RME. The Assistant Chief (RN) supervises a staff consisting of Supervisors, Lead Technicians, Medical Supply Technicians (MST), the Quality Assurance Technician, and the Program Support Associate. The Assistant Chief (RN) facilitates and supports the education and development of SPS staff. The Assistant Chief (RN) evaluates performance (Performance Appraisals) of assigned staff and initiates appropriate action in order to appreciate, guide, counsel, instruct, etc. General Major Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: The Assistant Chief contributes to the oversight of all supervision in the department. Oversees all decontamination, sterilization and disposition of facility critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment. 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. 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. Performs all functions and assumes all responsibilities for the daily operations within the service. Participation in internal and external site inspections, audits, and various committees including but not limited to Infection Control, Reusable Medical Equipment, and Sterile Processing staff meetings. Representing Sterile Processing Service on Applicable Committees, Councils, and Boards. Attends required Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) level meetings. Participating in Local, Regional, and National Sterile Processing Service activities. Functioning as Liaison between Sterile Processing and other hospital services, building positive relationships and following up on non-conformities to insure continuous improvement. Oversight of ordering / replacement / funding of reusable medical instruments and equipment. Manages education program for Sterile Processing Services (SPS) and areas involved in pre-treatment, pre-cleaning and reprocessing. Ensures appropriate customers are assigned SPS level I modules. Responsible for conducting monthly staff meetings, developing at least 12 in-services per year with objectives, educating staff how to reprocess (clean, disinfect, prepare and sterilize and storage) reusable medical equipment. Ensures that all current written instructions, references, and safety data sheets are available for employees in both decontamination and preparation area. Others duties as assigned. 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: 8:00am - 4:30pm Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 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 State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. Preferred Experience: Minimum five years of leadership experience and sterile processing service/Operating Room experience. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.