Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• The Assistant Chief SPS serves as supportive roll to the Chief, SPS for the Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) Program. Serves as technical and program advisor and consultant to management, professional staff, and other elements of the medical center providing oversight of sterile processing department. During the absence of the Chief, the Assistant Chief, SPS is relied upon by all program elements to provide authoritative advice and guidance in planning programs as they relate to SPS and RMD.
• Incumbent exercises direct supervisory responsibilities for planning, directing and coordinating the complexities of reprocessing activities, allowing for coverage through different sifts including on call personal. Incumbent is required to be Level II and IAHCSMM certification, arranging meetings and in-services coordinating/conducting ISO9001 and Censitrac training for documentation management and development of continuing education along with understanding sterilization parameters, biological monitoring, preparation and packaging and follow the VHA Directives 1116 and SPS Policies and Procedures.
• Incumbent observes minute details of procedures and products produced. Trains employees through demonstration, oral and written instructions. Responsible for developing, updating and writing policies and procedures for the department. Also maintains critical and non-critical RMD pre-cleaning/cleaning procedures for facility wide end users while assuring all SOPs and competences are up to date with the most recent manufactures cleaning instructions while following SOP and competency risk assessment.
• Keep statistics and records as assigned by the Chief, SPS and provide reports at regular intervals. Recognizes significant trends and makes recommendations regarding them. Suggests specific studies and researches projects which may be accomplished in or by SPS. Substantiates recommendations with solid background work and through investigation.
• Prepares reports on activities of the department and maintains required records of personnel, VISN, and National entities, (Example: department personnel files, competencies, performance appraisals, position descriptions, regular staff meetings and in-service education, RMD Committee minutes).
• Incumbent makes recommendations to the Chief, SPS concerning promotions, reassignments, or recognition for performance.
• Incumbent assists the Chief, SPS in preparing and maintaining an annual budget. S/he oversees the Inventory Management section and ensures all procurements actions are in accordance with relevant procurement laws and regulations, and specifically those found in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR). Additionally, oversees and ensures that SPS has in stock all items needed for the healthcare provider in treating the patient.
• Assist in development of supported services' annual budgets by providing periodic review reports of inventories, expenditures, and estimated projections.
• Develops and promulgate new or revised local directives, policies, and implementing instructions.
• Develops supply programs to consistently manufacturer and furnish sterile or disinfected supplies and equipment to end-users;
• Reviews and refines RMD and non-biological implant programs for adequacy, efficiency and opportunities for improvement.
• Adjusts programs on a day-to-day basis.
• Develops short-term goals as well as long-range goals and fixture planning to determine the most effective utilization of current human and financial resources.
• Anticipates personnel or fiscal shortfalls.
• Assistant Chief, SPS establishes criteria and tools to measure compliance; and detects and monitors trends throughout the SPS programs and requirements.
• Exercises independent judgment and control in all technical matters within the scope of the functional activity.
• Incumbent provides direct oversight of the use of CENSIS to improve infection control and provide the data for meaningful benchmarking, continuous process improvement and root cause analysis.
• Implements and monitors tailored supply policies and procedures derived from broad guidance contained in Veteran's Affairs Central Office directives as well as, VISN policy statements and objectives.
• Develops facility-wide guidance tailored to the varied locations within SFVAHCS, such as outlying CBOCs, and specialty clinics in order to provide sufficient guidance to accomplish SFVAHCS objectives to provide excellent patient care.

Work Schedule: 06:30 to 15:00; Monday through Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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.
• 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 1 or 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

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.
• 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 Requirement: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Serving as a first-level supervisor responsible for the oversight of a group of MSTs, with administrative responsibility for planning and directing the work; holding corrective interviews with employees, referring disciplinary problems to higher levels of management; resolving informal complaints of employees and dealing with union representatives on personnel matters; providing technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the organizational unit.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to plan and project staffing needs and requirements.
• Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds.
• Ability to manage, direct and adapt work to accomplish program goals and objectives, and meet new and changing program requirements.
• Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives.
• 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.
• Ability to evaluate new products and equipment, develop options, and make recommendations.
• 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.

References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit: https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/.

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.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

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
• Write to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) on a separate document - KSAs are found under qualification/grade requirements in the announcement.
• Clinical Resume/CV (Can be greater than 2 pages)
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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