Assistant Chief_Sterile Processing Service Registered Nurse

Veterans Health Administration • San Diego, CA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Chief of Sterile Processing Service (SPS) at the VA San Diego Healthcare System provides leadership and management for SPS processes and supports service-level outcomes. The role leads work involving critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices (RMDs), including sterile storage, reprocessing, standard operating procedures, competency assessment, equipment selection and maintenance, staff education, and quality management. The incumbent assists the Chief of SPS with monitoring and improving instrument processing, decontamination, sterilization, storage, biological monitoring, and high-level disinfection through the SPS Quality Management System. The position also supports consultation and oversight for non-critical RMDs and collaborates on evidence-based infection-control practices and sterile-processing standards.

The role assesses the work environment and trends, communicates and analyzes data, develops and implements policies and programs, and collaborates in resource management. It applies knowledge of patient-care practices, microbiology, asepsis, disinfection and sterilization, adult education, infectious diseases, communication, program administration, and epidemiology. The Assistant Chief also supports education and project development, mentors staff and medical providers, and contributes to data collection, statistical analysis, and evidence-based clinical guidelines and protocols.

This is a full-time, non-virtual position with no authorized telework, compressed schedule, or relocation/recruitment incentives. Work is at the VA San Diego Healthcare System. The posting lists a competitive salary but does not provide a salary range.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Graduation from an appropriately accredited school of professional nursing, or an eligible equivalent nursing education pathway described in the posting.
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted registered nurse license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, subject to the stated Graduate Nurse Technician exception.
• Must meet the applicable VA Nurse grade requirements for education and specialized nursing experience.
• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• May be required to serve a probationary period and must serve the stated two-year trial period.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation, and complete online onboarding and acceptable identity-document requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Physical capacity for heavy lifting and carrying (45 pounds and over), straight pulling and pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, use of both hands, walking and standing up to eight hours, repeated bending, and rapid simultaneous mental and muscular coordination; hearing aids are permitted.

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of sterile processing experience.
• Experience with HTM (BioMed), Engineering, IT, Infection Prevention and Control, Environment of Care, or Environmental Maintenance Services.
• Experience with steam sterilizers, hydrogen peroxide sterilizers, ultrasonic machines, automatic endoscope reprocessors, or cart washers.
• In-depth knowledge and experience with Censitrac reusable medical device tracking system.
• In-depth knowledge and experience in endoscope reprocessing (GI-ENDO).
• Availability to work any day of the week, Sunday through Saturday, and any eight-hour shift.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage SPS processes, demonstrating leadership and approaches that affect the department as a whole.
• Support documented outcomes at the SPS service level.
• Provide leadership for critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices, including sterile storage, reprocessing, standard operating procedures, competency assessment, equipment selection and maintenance, staff education, and quality management.
• Assist the Chief of SPS in assessing and monitoring instrument processing, decontamination, sterilization, storage, biological monitoring, and high-level disinfection monitoring through the SPS Quality Management System.
• Assist with oversight of and consultation availability for non-critical reusable medical devices.
• Assess the environment, analyze trends, transmit data, communicate ideas, develop and implement policies, initiate programs and systems, and collaborate in resource management.
• Collaborate with the Chief of SPS on evidence-based infection-control practices related to sterile-processing standards.
• Develop education programs and evaluate concepts and projects.
• Mentor staff and medical providers in sterile-processing principles and project implementation.
• Contribute to data collection techniques, statistical analysis, and development of evidence-based clinical guidelines and protocols.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, regular salary increases, and potential performance awards.
• 50 days of paid time off per year: 26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree