Supervisory Medical Supply Technician - Chief Sterile Processing

Description:

The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician - Chief of Sterile Processing Services (SPS) is responsible for the planning, directing, and management of all areas of the Sterile Processing Service to include Decontamination, Sterile Preparation, Case Cart Assembly, RMD reprocessing, and RMD inspections of all locations in the facility. They are responsible for programs designed to support the facility with sterile and non-sterile surgical and medical reusable equipment.

Requirements:

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 :

a. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

b. Experience and/or Education:
(1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work;
or
(2) 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
(3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.

c. Certification: None.

d. Grandfathering Provision: All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
(1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.
(2) MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

e. English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.


Grade Determinations :
The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-10 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Chief:
a. Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

b. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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.

c. 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:

• Recent management experience within last 1-3 years. Preferably SPS experience.
• Experience with budgeting, resources allocation, and policy implementation.
• Experience with performance improvement processes, compliance with healthcare regulations and accreditation standards.
• Experience in developing and implementing clinical practice guidelines, quality assurance programs, and patient safety initiatives.
• Familiarity with sterile processing workflows, instrument decontamination, sterilization processes, and quality assurance.
• Proven track record in leading and managing multidisciplinary teams, including nursing staff and sterile processing technicians.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .


The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10.


Physical Requirements: The work is performed in a normal office setting involving everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions. SPS activity; however must be carefully controlled to minimize potential exposure to blood, body fluids, and other hazardous chemicals/conditions, and ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, state and local safety policies and regulations. 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, lifting 10 pounds or more and pushing various items while performing SPS daily task. Must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient care demands.