Registered Nurse - Chief Sterile Processing Service

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; Salisbury (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Federal pension/retirement

Licensure support

Job summary

The Nurse IV Chief of Sterile Processing Service (SPS) leads the Sterile Processing program within the Salisbury VA Health Care System. This role provides health system–wide leadership for sterile reprocessing, SOPs, competency assessment, and EO-quality management of SPS operations.

The incumbent collaborates with multiple medical programs and supports development of policies, procedures, and clinical guidelines related to sterile processing and infection control across the healthcare system.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required and background checks apply.

Responsibilities

• Leads SPS quality improvement and program outcomes across the health system.
• Oversees instrument processing, decontamination, sterilization, storage, and high-level disinfection monitoring.
• Develops and implements policies, SOPs, and competency assessments for RMDs in sterile processing.
• Mentors staff and providers in sterile processing principles and project implementation.

Job description

Summary

The Nurse IV Chief of Sterile Processing Service (SPS) is a direct report to the Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS) of the Salisbury VA Health Care System (SBY VA HCS) a Complexity 1A facility.

Major Duties

The Nurse IV Chief of SPS plays a leadership role in ongoing systematic evaluation and improvement of quality and effectiveness of SPS program outcomes. The incumbent provides health system-wide leadership for critical and semi-critical RMD, including sterile storage, reprocessing, standard operating procedures (SOP), competency assessment, selection, operation, and maintenance of reprocessing equipment, staff education program for RMDs, and quality management of SPS. The duties of the Nurse IV Sterile Processing Service Chief include but are not limited to the following: The incumbent is responsible for assessing, monitoring, developing, and implementing corrective action plans for instrument processing, decontamination, sterilization, storage, biological monitoring, and high-level disinfection monitoring through an SPS Quality Management System. Additionally, the incumbent maintains oversight and availability for consultation of non-critical RMD. The incumbent assesses the environment, analyzes trends, transmits data, communicates ideas, develops, and implements policies, initiates programs and systems, and collaborates in the management of resources. The incumbent has knowledge in areas of patient care practices, microbiology, asepsis, disinfection/sterilization process, adult education, infectious diseases, communication, program administration and epidemiology. The incumbent has responsibility and oversight of evidence-based practice (EBP) infection control relating to sterile processing standards. Specific activities include but are not limited to education program development, evaluating concepts and project development, mentoring staff and medical providers in sterile processing principles and in the implementation of projects, data collection techniques, statistical analysis, and developing evidence based clinical guidelines and protocols. This position is accountable for the SPS as well as oversight of the use of RMD within the SBY VA HCS Healthcare System and accompanying Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Demonstrates leadership in developing and maintaining productive working relationships with groups in other medical programs and services across the spectrum of care, including, but not limited to Operative Care, Gastroenterology, ophthalmic surgical procedures, dental surgical procedures, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgical procedures, urological surgical procedures, and medical and surgical patient care areas. This also includes administrative/support programs and services across the healthcare system, such as engineering services, biomedical engineering department, environmental management services, logistics, hospital education, Quality, Safety, and Value (QSV) department, the Safety Officer, VISN 06 Offices, and SBY VA HCS Executive Leadership. At the national level, the incumbent formulates, builds upon, and sustains key relationships with the members of the Assistant Under Secretary for Health (AUSH) for Patient Care Services, specifically, the Office for Sterile Processing (OSP) and the Office of Nursing Services (ONS), when called upon. The Chief of SPS executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for integrated programs that cross service and or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and safe, infection-free health care. Serves as the subject matter expert for all SPS activities and provides consultation when called upon. The scope of the SPS department is wide-reaching, and the consultative information provided to executive leadership impacts the healthcare system at all levels (local, regional, and national). Collaborates in the development and implementation of policies and procedures relating to sterile processing and infection control practices throughout the healthcare system. Collaborates with various surgical proprietary vendors that provide instrumentation that allow the agency to maintain inventory par levels that support the complex surgical cases. 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: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm


• Telework: Adhoc, as determined by the agency policy.


• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.


• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized


• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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 evaluation/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.

Evaluations

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. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

What to Expect Next

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. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Required Documents

• License


• Resume


• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript


• Cover Letter


• DD-214/ Statement of Service


• Disability Letter (Schedule A)


• Disability Letter (VA)


• License Other (1) Professional Certification


• Proof of Marriage Status


• Resume SF-15


• Veterans' Preference

Other 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.