Supervisory Medical Support Technician - Assistant Chief

Diversity Group; Fort Meade (SD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Black Hills Health Care System seeks an Assistant Chief of Sterile Processing Service to lead reprocessing, quality management, and infection prevention across the system. The role emphasizes staff education, process improvement, and evidence-based practice in support of safe Veteran care.

The position requires RN licensure, leadership experience in sterile processing, and a strong commitment to patient safety and regulatory compliance. Monday–Friday schedule with VA total rewards.

Qualifications

• Current, full, and unrestricted nursing license in the United States.
• Knowledge of sterile processing, reprocessing standards, and infection prevention.
• Experience leading sterile processing or equivalent healthcare programs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Sterile Processing Service operations including decontamination, sterilization, high-level disinfection, and storage.
• Oversee quality management, education, and staff development across the service.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary partners to improve safety and reliability of reprocessing processes.
• Develop and implement evidence-based policies and protocols for sterile processing.

Skills

Leadership

Infection prevention

Quality management

Staff education

Regulatory compliance

Education

Nursing degree (RN)

State RN license

Bridge program eligibility (BSN)

Tools

Sterile processing equipment

Infection control guidelines

Job description

Summary

Join the VA Black Hills Health Care System as the Assistant Chief of Sterile Processing Service and help lead a program essential to safe Veteran care. Provide leadership for sterile processing operations - quality management - staff education - infection prevention - and reprocessing of critical and semi-critical medical devices while advancing reliable - evidence-based practices - supporting process improvement - and strengthening care across the health care system.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13071412
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and no professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Preferred Experience: 2-5 years in Sterile Processing Service preferred 1-2 years leadership experience preferred Sterile Processing Service certificate preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Make a meaningful impact on Veteran safety by helping lead a Sterile Processing Service that supports high-quality care throughout the VA Black Hills Health Care System
• As Assistant Chief - you will work alongside Sterile Processing leadership and interdisciplinary partners to strengthen safe - reliable reprocessing practices - advance infection prevention - develop staff expertise - and drive improvements in quality and operations
• This leadership opportunity offers the chance to influence practices across the service - mentor staff and clinical partners - use data to identify opportunities for improvement - and help ensure reusable medical devices are consistently prepared to support safe Veteran care
• Duties include - but are not limited to: - Leads key Sterile Processing Service operations involving decontamination - sterilization - high-level disinfection - sterile storage - and the safe reprocessing of critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices
• - Assists the Chief of Sterile Processing Service with oversight of the department - including program development - operational planning - resource management - and evaluation of service-level outcomes
• - Directs quality management activities by assessing processes - monitoring trends - analyzing data - and developing corrective action plans to strengthen instrument processing and reprocessing practices
• - Develops and implements policies - programs - systems - standard operating procedures - and evidence-based practices that promote safe - consistent - and effective sterile processing operations
• - Provides leadership for the selection - operation - maintenance - and appropriate use of equipment involved in the reprocessing of reusable medical devices
• - Develops educational programs - mentors staff and medical providers - and promotes knowledge of sterile processing principles - infection prevention - reprocessing standards - and safe clinical practices
• - Collaborates with clinical and interdisciplinary partners to identify risks - address negative trends and environment-of-care concerns - and improve the safety and reliability of reusable medical device processes
• - Advances performance improvement through project development - data collection - statistical analysis - and the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines and protocols that support quality Veteran care
• 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 - 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Travel Requirements: You may be expected to travel 25% or less of the time for this position to various care locations within the service area - including Veteran homes as part of Home Health care delivery
• You must possess and maintain a current - valid - unrestricted state-issued driver's license
• You must provide a safe - clean driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) during onboarding
• You must successfully complete a driver's physical examination to demonstrate medical ability to safely operate a government-owned or leased vehicle - as required under 5 CFR 930 and HR Job Aid 05-OB-010.002
• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.