Sewing Machine Operator

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC, seeks a Linen Technician in Environmental Management Service.

You will mend and repair surgical linens and clothing using industrial sewing and related equipment, and fabricate specialty linen items for patient care areas. The role requires handling a variety of fabrics, operating multiple machines, maintaining storage and inventory, and ensuring quality and appearance of finished items.

Qualifications

• Physically able to perform moderately heavy work including lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to operate sewing and related textile equipment.
• Familiarity with linen inventory and storage procedures.
• Compliance with safety and quality standards as per federal guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Mend and repair linens and uniforms made of various fabrics.
• Operate sewing, buttonhole, heat seal and related machines.
• Fabricate specialty linen items and drapes as required.
• Maintain inventory and records of linens and uniforms.
• Prepare and issue uniforms to new employees according to appointment.

Skills

Physical stamina

Manual dexterity

Attention to detail

Record keeping

Education

OPM Wage System knowledge

Tools

Industrial sewing machine

Buttonhole machine

Heat seal machine

Job description

Summary

This position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Mid Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) - Charles George VA Medical Center (VAMC) - Asheville NC - in the Linen Section of Environmental Management Service. The primary purpose of the position is to mend and repair surgical linens and clothing made of fabrics using industrial type sewing - button - and patching machines and fabricate specialty linen items.

Summary

This position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Mid Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) - Charles George VA Medical Center (VAMC) - Asheville NC - in the Linen Section of Environmental Management Service. The primary purpose of the position is to mend and repair surgical linens and clothing made of fabrics using industrial type sewing - button - and patching machines and fabricate specialty linen items.

Qualifications

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Requires physical effort involving continuous body and arm movement - sitting - walking - standing - bending - twisting - reaching - sorting - and folding linens and uniforms - and operates sewing machine - button machine - patch machine and label machine. Must be physically able to remain engaged in manual work requiring moderately heavy physical effort during the entire tour of duty. Lifts boxes of linen items and uniforms for storage or uncrating weighing up to 50 pounds. Incumbent will perform work in a well-lighted - noisy and adequate area. May be subjected to minor injuries such as cuts - needle punctures as well as bruises from carts and machinery. Usually works indoors in areas well heated and air-cooled. Exposed to skin irritations from cleaning solutions. May be exposed to lint - continual noise - possible burns and bruises - dirt - and disagreeable odors. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position - the job element method is used to match what you - the applicant - can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge - skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge - skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required - your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Equipment Assembly - Installation - Repair Interpret Instructions - Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials Measurement and Layout Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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; religious; 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.

Duties

• Duties may include - but are not limited to: Mends linens and uniforms consisting of different types of fabrics such as cotton - polyester - polyester/cotton blends - woolen - rayon and nylon fabrics that have numerous parts
• examines damaged linens and uniforms to determine the nature and extent of needed repairs
• alters employee uniforms by altering inseams - hemming pants - shirts - smocks - lab coats
• mends and repairs uniforms according to fitter's pins - chalk marks or verbal instructions making sure to match size and colors of replacement parts to the original garment with the concern of appearance
• replaces zippers and buttons
• Operates buttonhole machine to make buttonholes in shirts and trousers
• Operates a heat seal machine and an industrial sewing machine
• Performs minor servicing of the machines - like lubricating - and adjusts/keep machines in good working order
• Uses a computerized marking machine for identification to uniforms and linens
• Fabricates special surgical drapes - equipment covers - cubical curtains - draperies - etc
• using available material - making the proper specifications for size and usage and determines what type of material to use and how much material is needed such as cart covers of many different sizes - removing mesh off of cubical curtains - adding new material to lengthen or shorten cubical curtains for patient privacy
• Maintains inventory of uniforms - linens - and laundry items - in conjunction with records of any salvage of items due to fair wear and tear
• Maintains uniform and linen storage areas keeping records of all items in storage - items sent out for distribution or incoming linen or uniforms - etc
• Maintains records of employee issued uniforms
• Issues new employees' correct type and color of uniforms according to appointment and position title
• then records the transaction on customer receipt cards
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved