Summary
The SPS Assistant Chief assists the SPS Chief in oversight and planning, direction, and management of all areas of the SPS department to include Decontamination, Sterile Preparation, Sterile Storage, Endoscope Reprocessing, and Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) reprocessing for the VHAWNY (Buffalo) Healthcare System.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe their allegiance to the U.S.
Duties
The incumbent participates in the planning and facilitating of sterilization of reusable medical equipment for use throughout all clinical and patient care areas of the medical center to include our Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in Batavia, NY. The incumbent interacts with subordinates, upper management and other staff, customers, vendors and visitors in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner upholding the VA I Care Core Values. Incumbent oversees subordinates within the SPS organizational structure. Incumbent observes minute details of SPS procedures and products produced. The incumbent assists in training and coaching employees through demonstration, oral and written instructions. The Assistant Chief of SPS will recommend staff selection, assigns staff work and provides direction to subordinate staff. He/she is responsible for training, documenting and evaluation of staff abilities and competencies.
Position reports to the Chief of Sterile Processing Service and has staff responsibility for the daily operational and management of the SPS Sections, exercising supervisory authority over the Supervisory, Medical Supply Technicians and in turn with the Team Leads and Medical Supply Technicians. Serves as a technical advisor, hands on Supervisor and consultant including provide RMD oversight, i.e. the reprocessing of critical and semi-critical RMD.
The incumbent will plan and project staffing needs and requirements and provide them to the Chief. He/She assists in interviewing applicants for the department positions; assures work scheduled are developed and posted in a timely manner; coaches and counsels employees to meet productivity and quality standards/expectations, and assists in preparing and reviewing competencies, performance standards, performance appraisals and evaluations. The incumbent keeps the Chief of SPS informed of any employee related issues that may require disciplinary action. The incumbent may also deliver disciplinary actions on SPS MST and Supervisory staff.
The incumbent attends and actively participates in various meetings and/or task groups as assigned the Chief of SPS and briefs her/him as requested. The incumbent may be designated as the lead for some of these activities. The incumbent assists the Chief of SPS in preparing and maintain an annual budget including assisting and at times leading procurement for the service. He/She ensures that all procurement actions are in accordance with relevant procurement laws and regulations including those found in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). When requested, the incumbent acts as the Chief of SPS in his/her absence and while acting in that capacity is responsible for the overall functioning of SPS, maintaining expected productivity, effectiveness, and quality.
The incumbent assists in identifying developmental and training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development and training. The Assistant Chief of SPS assists in ensuring all staff are trained and competent to perform duties and arranges through subordinates, VA Level One training to all employees. The Assistant Chief of SPS, in collaboration with the Chief of SPS and the SPS RMD Educator, maintain a detailed in-service training program to ensure staff receives appropriate training, and continuing education units to maintain certification or competency. Finds ways to improve production or increase the quality of the work directed. Develops performance standards for direct staff and ensure performance standards are developed for front line staff.
The incumbent oversees and facilitates the collection and receipt of all used, soiled supplies, instruments, or equipment that require reprocessing. The work involves ensuring the availability of a large number of medical instruments, supplies, and equipment are available to the medical center clinical services. In addition, the Assistant Chief of SPS is involved in the oversight of the decontamination and reprocessing process which requires the incumbent to have knowledge and ability to determine what specific means are utilized to accomplish cleaning, disinfecting, or pre-sterilization of complex diagnostic equipment and medical apparatus. Furthermore, the incumbent is involved in the oversight of the sterile preparation of such medical equipment and apparatus including efficient and effective assembly, packaging, and terminal sterilization of all trays, sets and packs for use throughout the medical center and CBOCs. The Assistant Chief assures timely delivery of necessary items to patient care areas including Operating Room, GI, Dental clinics, etc. to maintain patient access and procedures as scheduled.
The incumbent performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 24579-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:
- United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- Experience and/or Education:
- (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or
- (2) Education. One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in health care related courses such as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, and operating room and surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position; or
- (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
- Certification: None.
- Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must havebeen submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
- Grandfathering Provision. All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
- (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.
- (2) MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
- (3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
- Physical Requirements: Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.
Grade Determinations: GS-09 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Assistant Chief
- Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
- Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- 1. Ability to plan and project staffing needs and requirements.
- 2. Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds.
- 3. Ability to manage, direct and adapt work to accomplish program goals and objectives, and meet new and changing program requirements.
- 4. Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives.
- 5. Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues.
- 6. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment, develop options, and make recommendations.
- 7. Ability to manage, interpret, and present fiscal data (i.e. fund controls, contracts and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs and administer an allocated budget.
- Assignment: The Assistant Chief contributes to the oversight of all supervision, administrative management and direction of the SPS. Oversees all decontamination, sterilization and disposition of facility critical and semi-critical RME. Develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate in compliance with regulatory and accrediting organizations. Contributes to the effective utilization of resources, budgetary allocation and fiscal management. Makes selections, assigns personnel and provides direction to subordinate staff. Manages the training, documenting and evaluating of staff. Serves as liaison between SPS and other departments.
Preferred Experience: Supervisory experience, VA Level 2 SPS certified, HSPA, or CBSPD SPS Tech certified, Censitrac surgical instrument barcode tracking
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for 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; religions; 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.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link
https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Other (1)
- PCS Orders
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/14/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12807604.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.