Nurse IV, Sterile Processing Services Chief

<p>The Sterile Processing Services (SPS) Chief is a highly collaborative nurse expert who will be responsible for planning, organizing, developing, implementing and controlling the SPS Division at the Iron Mountain VAMC. SPS is the central point from which Veteran care related medical and surgical supply inventories and reusable medical equipment (RME) are received, processed, decontaminated, packaged and sterilized for distribution throughout the Medical Center</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>This Supervisory Nurse Path provides opportunities to influence procedural care, by assisting in the implementation and sustainment of strong infection control practices, in relation to equipment and instrumentation, throughout the facility. The SPS Chief has oversight supervisory oversight of licensed and non-licensed staff. The SPS Chief position reports directly to the Associate Director for Patient and Nursing Services. Responsible for identifying and maintaining SPS standards in accordance with AAMI and AORN standards for the practice of all services and contributing to the fulfillment of the mission in surgical and clinical areas. Leads the establishment of effective relationships, working in a collaborative manner with other disciplines throughout the medical center. Responsible for assessing, monitoring, developing and implementing corrective action plans for instrument processing, reprocessing Reusable Medical Equipment (RME), decontamination, sterilization, biological monitoring and high-level disinfecting monitoring. Influences and implements changes concerning the decontamination and high-level disinfection/sterilization processes both within and outside of SPS to enhance productivity and/or standards compliance. Responsible for ensuring the availability and control of a large number of separately recurring reusable medical/surgical supplies and equipment, which have difficult supply and demand patterns due to the mission of the facility. Assures compliance with accreditation standards. Actively contributes to major policy decision of personnel, budget, position management, public and community relations, program and organizational changes, patient care, and implications. Responsible for the recruitment, hiring and placement, counseling, disciplinary actions, promotions and terminations of nursing, technical, administrative and clerical staff assigned within the Division. Solicits assistance from, or responds to, inquiries from outside regulatory agencies such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Association of Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), The Joint Commission (TJC), Association of Operating Room Nurses, Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). when necessary. Maintains a detailed in-service training program to ensure staff receives the minimum continuing education units to maintain certification and or competency. Uses supervisors to direct, coordinate, and oversee work. Exercise significant responsibility in dealing with service chiefs of other departments and in advising management officials in high rank. Finds and implements ways to eliminate or reduce significant barriers to production, promotes team building, and improves business practices. Preferred Experience: Knowledge of sterile processing workflows Knowledge of infection control prevention 2 years or greater of management experience VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: Up to 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: Day Shift, 0700-1530 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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. 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. 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). You may be required to serve a probationary period. Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.