Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Assistant Chief

Veterans Health Administration • San Diego, CA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Chief position is located at the VA San Diego Healthcare System in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS). The Assistant Chief assists the Chief, SPS, with oversight of operational and administrative activities, quality management, training, competency assessment, standard operating procedures, and liaison activities between SPS and other departments. The Assistant Chief must be prepared to function as Acting Chief when needed.

The position provides technical and direct supervision through subordinate supervisors to more than 50 GS-5 through GS-9 Medical Supply Technicians. It adapts work to meet program goals and changing requirements, maintains local policies and procedures, and helps ensure compliance with regulatory, advisory, infection-prevention, and accrediting standards. The Assistant Chief oversees quality control, staffing and workload planning, equipment inventory and replacement requests, training, inventory management, continuous quality improvement, and the safe reprocessing of reusable medical equipment (RME).

The Assistant Chief represents SPS at assigned meetings and committees, including in an advisory capacity when the Chief is absent, and provides written and verbal reports. The role works with Supply Chain Management to monitor inventory and address potential shortages. It also supports staff orientation, skills review, and education, and ensures that personnel follow local procedures and manufacturer instructions for RME reprocessing. Single-use devices are not to be reused or re-sterilized.

The work is performed in decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply, and other areas throughout the medical facility. The environment may be hot, cold, drafty, poorly lit, noisy, and exposed to body fluids, contaminated equipment, sterilizing gases, and hot items. The work includes prolonged standing and walking, frequent bending and lifting, and use of personal protective clothing and equipment.

The stated work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Telework is not available and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the Medical Supply Technician basic qualification requirement through six months of qualifying experience, one year of post-high-school education including at least six semester hours in relevant health care courses, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; applicable grandfathering provisions may also qualify.
• For GS-09, one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-8, including first-level supervision and responsibility for planning and directing MST work and related personnel matters.
• Ability to plan and project staffing needs and requirements.
• Ability to manage and interact with individuals of varying backgrounds.
• Ability to manage, direct, and adapt work to accomplish program goals and respond to changing requirements.
• Ability to develop and recommend policies consistent with organizational goals and objectives.
• Ability to perform supervisory duties, including assigning, planning, and evaluating work; recommending awards; approving leave; identifying training needs; and resolving staff issues.
• Ability to evaluate new products and equipment, develop options, and make recommendations.
• Ability to manage, interpret, and present fiscal data; forecast resource and equipment needs; and administer an allocated budget.
• Meet employment conditions including background/security investigation, required onboarding and identification documentation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Work in the described facility environments and meet the physical demands of the position.

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of Sterile Processing Service experience.
• Availability to work any day Sunday through Saturday and any eight-hour shift.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chief, SPS, with operational and administrative oversight of the service and be prepared to serve as Acting Chief.
• Provide technical and direct supervision through subordinate supervisors to more than 50 GS-5 through GS-9 Medical Supply Technicians.
• Manage, direct, and adapt work to meet program goals, objectives, and changing requirements.
• Issue, adapt, implement, and maintain local SPS policies and procedures.
• Represent SPS at assigned meetings and committees, including providing written and verbal reports.
• Assist in developing and maintaining the SPS quality control program, including quality assurance through sampling, biological monitoring, product assessment, and reporting.
• Plan and project staffing needs and anticipate future workload requirements.
• Manage the SPS equipment inventory and request replacement of equipment under the service's purview.
• Develop policies and procedures with the Chief, SPS, to meet infection-prevention standards and monitor compliance with applicable requirements.
• Consult with regulatory and advisory agencies and ensure compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Facilitate SPS training, conduct departmental orientation and skills review, and support educational programs and staff performance standards.
• Work with Supply Chain Management to monitor inventory and take corrective action on potential shortages.
• Lead or oversee continuous quality improvement projects.
• Oversee decontamination, sterilization, and disposition of critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME).
• Ensure RME reprocessing follows local SOPs and manufacturers' written recommendations, and suspend reuse when improper processing is suspected.
• Manage staff training documentation and competency evaluation, and serve as liaison between SPS and other departments.
• Contribute to budgetary allocation, fiscal management, and effective use of resources.
• Make selections, assign personnel, provide direction to subordinate staff, and perform supervisory functions such as evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package, with benefits eligibility depending on position type and other applicable factors.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED