Registered Nurse - (Sterile Processing Service Chief)

Veterans Health Administration; Poplar Bluff (MO); On-site; USD 74,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

Federal Pension

Federal 401K

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration's John J. Pershing VAMC in Missouri seeks a Registered Nurse to serve as Chief of Sterile Processing Service (SPS).

You will provide executive oversight of all SPS operations, ensuring compliance with VHA policies and AAMI guidelines, and lead improvements in disinfection, sterilization, and customer service across the continuum of care. As a senior nurse leader, you will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, develop standards and training programs, and manage

Qualifications

• Supervisory experience in a sterile processing environment.
• Background in sterile processing with adherence to standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee SPS operations including high-level disinfection, sterilization and storage.
• Ensure infection prevention and customer satisfaction across the continuum of care.
• Maintain compliance with VHA policies and AAMI guidelines.
• Lead administrative SPS program oversight and participation in committees.
• Develop training programs and evaluate SPS staffing and competency.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Sterile processing background

Job description

Registered Nurse - (Sterile Processing Service Chief)

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The John J. Pershing Veterans Affairs Medical Center (JJP VAMC), a level 3 complexity facility, is recruiting a Registered Nurse to serve as the Chief of Sterile Processing Service (SPS). This position reports directly to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services and is responsible for providing oversight, direction, and evaluation of all SPS operations across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

The Registered Nurse - Sterile Processing Services (SPS) Chief is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating all sterile processing operations. This role oversees high-level disinfection, sterilization, sterile storage, infection prevention, and customer satisfaction across the continuum of care.

The Chief ensures compliance with all applicable Veterans Health Administration (VHA) policies and American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) guidelines. As a key member of medical center leadership, the Chief collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to support high-quality care outcomes.

The position includes administrative oversight of the SPS program and participation on committees such as Infection Prevention and Control, Water Safety, Clinical Executive Council, VISN 15 Advisory Board, Clinical Product Review Committee, Reusable Medical Device Committee, Environment of Care Rounds, and the Enterprise Equipment Request Committee.

The Chief must maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels, as well as with patients, families, and community partners. Strong collaboration with SPS managers, supervisors, key personnel, and Lead Medical Supply Technicians is essential to achieving expected program functions.

The role contributes to the development of standards, policies, and objectives that enhance sterile processing operations across the organization and supports policy development related to customer service and overall SPS program effectiveness. Additional duties and requirements include, but are not limited to: Obtaining a VA-recognized sterile processing certification within one year of appointment.

Ensuring the SPS Assistant Chief and supervisory staff obtain required VA-recognized certifications within one year of appointment. Managing SPS as a service line through a structured Quality Management System (QMS). Serving as the facility subject matter expert for RMD reprocessing. Overseeing all aspects of RMD reprocessing within the facility.

Collaborating with the ADPCS and Chief of Staff to ensure proper reprocessing, high-level disinfection, sterilization, and transport procedures are in place and compliant. Ensuring staff responsible for point-of-use cleaning, transport, and storage receive required training and competency validation. Developing and managing education and training programs for all personnel involved in RMD reprocessing.

Ensuring manufacturer instructions for use (MIFU) are available for all RMDs, including consigned and loaned devices. Evaluating SPS staffing levels annually and reporting findings to the Medical Center Director. Providing input to Healthcare Engineering to ensure construction and renovation plans meet VHA design guidelines. Collaborating with RMD users and Healthcare Engineering to develop systematic equipment retirement plans.

Overseeing the RMD management program, including maintenance, repair, replacement, and contract oversight. Collecting, analyzing, and reporting SPS quality and process improvement data, and collaborating with VISN and facility leadership to mitigate risks. Developing corrective action plans for reprocessing non-conformities identified by oversight bodies, submitting plans for VISN approval, and ensuring implementation.

Preferred Experience: Supervisory experience and background in sterile processing.

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: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $74300 – $130614/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-09-28.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.