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Summary The Birmingham VA Health Care System is recruiting for a Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Chief for Patient Care Services. Responsibilities The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Chief reports directly to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services and has staff responsibility for the daily operational and management of the SPS Section, exercising oversight and supervisory authority over Sterile Processing staff and provides 24-hour accountability for the management of critical and semi critical reusable medical equipment (RME) throughout the facility. The duties include but are not limited to: Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning, leadership in delivering and improving care through collaborative strategies with others. Responsible for continuous quality improvement projects that result in improved services for all customers and is self-directed in goal setting for managing complex situations. Responsible to oversee quality management system activities within SPS, to include training, competency assessment, development, and enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOPs). The Chief of SPS has designated responsibilities of administration, supervision, and evaluation of the processing of critical and semi critical Reusable Medical Equipment, operation within the department and management of personnel. The Chief of SPS functions as the professional leader of a team of technical experts with broad-based clinical experience in processing instruments and other items for a specific range of professional staff to render safe and effective care. The incumbent is accountable to adhering to established policies, standards of care, and standards of practice set forth by AAMI, AORN, IAHCSMM. The incumbent also possesses the administrative leadership necessary to promote interdisciplinary cooperation. The Chief of SPS, is responsible for planning and facilitating of sterilization of critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment for use throughout all clinical and patient care areas of the medical center to include our Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). The incumbent interacts with subordinates, Associate Nurse Executives, upper management and other staff, customers, vendors, and visitors in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner upholding the VA Values. Incumbent oversees subordinates within the SPS organizational structure. Incumbent observes minute details of SPS procedures and products produced. The incumbent assists in training and coaching employees through demonstration, oral and written instructions. The incumbent keeps the ADPCS informed of any employee related issues that may require disciplinary action. The incumbent attends and actively participates in various meetings and/or task groups as assigned by the ADPCS and briefs her/him as requested. The incumbent may be designated as the lead for some of these activities. The incumbent will prepare and maintain an annual budget including leading procurement for the service. Oversight of the decontamination and reprocessing process which requires the incumbent to have knowledge and ability to determine what specific means are utilized to accomplish cleaning, disinfecting, or pre-sterilization of complex diagnostic equipment and medical apparatus. Develops, directs, and maintains a Quality Control Program ensuring product quality assurance through random sampling, biological monitoring, product assessment and other means, and providing specific reports as required. Furthermore, the incumbent has oversight of the sterile preparation of such medical equipment and apparatus including efficient and effective assembly, packaging, and terminal sterilization of all trays, sets and packs for use throughout the medical center and CBOCs. The Chief of SPS assures timely delivery of necessary items to patient care areas including Operating Room, GI, Dental clinics, etc. to maintain patient access and procedures as scheduled. Maintain a performance improvement/quality control program ensuring product quality assurance through random sampling, biological testing, product assessment and related means. Solicits assistance from or responds to inquiries from outside regulatory agencies such as Joint Commission, Office of the Inspector General, Food and Drug Administration, Association for the advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Chief will also prepare and recommend written actions as required by the Medical Center Director's office, VISN office, and/or National SPS office. Work Schedule: 6:00am - 3:00pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS 56607 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements 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. 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. 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: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-10 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to implement and incorporate regulations, policies, and procedures to manage SPS operations. 2. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment, develop options, and make recommendations. 3. Ability to integrate SPS managerial duties, which includes strategic planning of facility organizational goals and integration of SPS vision and values within the organizational mission. 4. 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. 5. Skill to initiate and lead interdisciplinary groups in order to facilitate daily SPS functions. 6. Ability to analyze and interpret fiscal data in order to forecast resource and equipment needs. Assignment. The Chief has the overall responsibility for the supervision, administrative management and direction of the SPS. Ensures SPS functions are in compliance with all regulatory mandates. Forecasts, plans, develops and manages the SPS program. Manages SPS personnel and serves as liaison between SPS and other departments. Maintains effective interdepartmental relationships, coordinates and resolves problems, and ensures cooperation with other programs and services. Manages the overall SPS budget including determining resource needs, allocating resources, and ensuring proper utilization in productivity, efficiency and cost effectiveness of SPS operations. Formulates objectives, develops priorities and implements plans that support organizational goals. Ensures operations are in compliance with all safety, regulatory and accrediting requirements. Oversees orientation and training of staff. Preferred Experience: Previous experience in a SPS leadership role or surgical technician experience. Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) certification, Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) certification, knowledge of AAMI standards. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: The work requires constant physical effort in the receipt, reprocessing, storage and issue of RME, folding of linen items, assembling trays, pans, and case carts, inserting and retrieving loaded sterilized carts from the autoclaves. Hand and eye coordination is required in the disassembly and reassembling of equipment. The worker is exposed to long periods of standing, bending and walking while reprocessing reusable medical equipment. Frequent requirement for the lifting of RME, trays and cartons from storage shelves to carts. Incumbent regularly uses case carts in the delivery of supplies and instruments to the clinical areas within the Medical Center. Material weighs up to 50 pounds. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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.