Supervisory Medical Supply Technician- Sterile Processing - Assistant Chief

Veterans Health Administration • Pittsburgh, PA

13h • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Chief of Sterile Processing Service (SPS) supports oversight and direction of the service’s administrative and operational activities. The role oversees staff responsible for sterilization, preparation of supply items, decontamination of reusable medical equipment, and distribution support for the medical center. Supply items include disposable and reusable patient-care items, instrumentation, reusable medical equipment, surgical trays and sets, and other items processed or assembled in SPS preparation and decontamination areas.

The Assistant Chief supports the Chief, SPS, in managing service operations, quality management, equipment inventory, policies and procedures, training, and compliance with infection prevention and accreditation requirements. The incumbent may assume operational command as Acting Chief when needed and represent SPS on committees and at assigned meetings. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with possible rotating tours. Telework and virtual work are not available.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic experience or education requirement: six months of qualifying experience; or one year of education above high school including at least six semester hours in relevant health-care courses; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• For GS-09, one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-8, including first-level supervisory responsibility for Medical Supply Technicians and oversight of planning and directing work.
• 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 achieve program objectives 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 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 applicable pre-employment screening, onboarding, identification, security investigation, and influenza vaccination requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

• Three years as a first-level supervisor or Lead Medical Supply Technician overseeing a group of MSTs and responsible for planning and directing work.
• Experience assigning tasks to provide new employees with the training and experience needed to decontaminate scopes and instrumentation.
• Relevant professional certification is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chief, SPS, with oversight of all operational and administrative activities of the service.
• Provide technical and direct supervision to GS-6 Medical Supply Technicians in ASU and oversight for GS-7 and GS-8 staff, Lead Medical Supply Technicians, and nonsupervisory GS-9 staff.
• Manage quality management activities, including training, competency assessments, and development and enforcement of standard operating procedures.
• Assist with management of the SPS Equipment Inventory Listing for assigned equipment, including sterilizers, washer/disinfectors, ultrasonic units, and sealers; request replacement equipment as needed.
• In the Chief’s absence, serve on or advise committees such as CPRC, Infection Control, Environment of Care, and Reusable Medical Equipment committees.
• Attend assigned meetings to represent SPS and provide written and verbal reports as required.
• Issue, adapt, implement, and maintain local SPS policies and procedures applicable to facility or system programs.
• Assist in developing, directing, and maintaining a Quality Control Program, including random sampling, biological monitoring, product assessment, and required reporting.
• Facilitate SPS training in areas such as reprocessing and inventory management; conduct orientation, training, and skills reviews and support educational programs.
• Identify and promote staff development.
• Work with the Chief, SPS, to develop policies and procedures meeting infection prevention standards and monitor compliance with local, VISN, VHA, and Joint Commission requirements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Be prepared to assume operational command as Acting Chief of the service when needed.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or agency needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, for qualifying birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days for eligible full-time employees, subject to income and other eligibility criteria.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be continued into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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