Chief Nurse - Sterile Processing

US Veterans Health Administration; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 157,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Retirement benefits

Federal health/vision/dental/term life

Relocation/Recruitment incentives may-

Job summary

The US Veterans Health Administration seeks a Chief Nurse (RN) for Sterile Processing Services in Washington, DC, to lead high‑level disinfection, sterilization, sterile storage, infection control and patient‑centered care across the continuum. This role is open to qualified US Citizens.

The Chief of SPS provides system‑wide leadership for RMD, sterile processing, SOPs, staff education, and quality management, collaborating with vendors and other disciplines to advance standards of care and

Qualifications

• Leadership in nursing and patient care, with strong infection control knowledge.
• Experience with sterile processing systems and quality management.
• Ability to develop SOPs and educate staff at a system level.

Responsibilities

• Provides system-wide leadership for sterile processing and infection control.
• Oversees sterile storage, reprocessing, disinfection, and equipment maintenance.
• Develops and enforces standard operating procedures and competency assessments.
• Educates staff and mentors SPS personnel; leads quality management initiatives.
• Collaborates with vendors to maintain inventory par levels for complex surgeries.

Job description

Summary

The Chief Nurse (RN) of Sterile Processing Services assumes responsibility for all aspects of the Sterile Processing Service to include high level disinfection, sterilization, sterile storage, infection control and prevention as well as customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care. Learn more about this agency. This job is open to the public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Clarification from the agency NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. This position is open to all qualified US Citizens.

Duties

The Chief of SPS provides health system-wide leadership for critical and semi-critical RMD, including sterile storage, reprocessing, standard operating procedures, competency assessment, selection, operation, and maintenance of reprocessing equipment, staff education program for RMDs, and quality management of SPS.

• Maintains oversight and availability for consultation of non‑critical RMD.
• Has knowledge in areas of patient‑care practices, microbiology, asepsis, disinfection/sterilization process, adult education, infectious diseases, communication, program administration and epidemiology.
• Has responsibility and oversight of evidence‑based practice infection control relating to sterile processing standards.
• Serves as the subject matter expert for all SPS activities and provides consultation when called upon.
• Collaborates with various surgical proprietary vendors that provide instrumentation that allow the agency to maintain inventory par levels that support the complex surgical cases.
• Supports the integration and collaboration of sterile processing with other professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient‑centered and organizational goals.
• Functions as an advisor, administrator, educator, consultant, and mentor who possesses a wide range of experience and leadership ability.
• Contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of nursing.
• Assesses the environment, analyzes trends, transmits data, communicates ideas, develops, and implements policies, initiates programs and systems, and collaborates in the management of resources.

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: Full‑time; specifics TBD with Supervisor.
• Telework: Available.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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. 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. 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 evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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. Mechanical lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off‑site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA‑vehicles.

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. 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.

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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well‑being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Required Documents

• Long‑form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover Letter
• DD‑214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Long‑form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF‑15
• SF‑50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript
• Veterans' Preference

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued, and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

Overview

Accepting applications. Location 1 vacancy in the following location: Washington, DC. 1 vacancy. No matching locations found.

Salary

Salary $156,977 - $208,766 per year. Pay scale & grade VN 4. Promotion potential None. Learn more about pay scale and grade. Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule

Full‑time. Travel Required: Not required.

Appointment type

Permanent.

Occupations and job series

0610 Nurse Supervisory status: Yes. Federal service type: This job is in the Excepted Service. Represented by a union: No. Drug test: Yes. Security clearance: Not Required. Position sensitivity and risk: Non‑sensitive (NS)/Low Risk. Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job. Background check type Credentialing Suitability/ Fitness Financial disclosure required: No. Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number

CBTF-13072681-26-HW Control number 886123800.