Registered Nurse- Sterile Processing Head Nurse/Manager

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.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.
• English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Education. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who achieve the level in their education in which they have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing and are registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associate degree level Nursing education program. Note: In order to grant credit towards an appointment based on foreign nursing education higher than the associate degree level, formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized degree equivalency evaluation agency accepted by VA must be provided.
• Licensure. Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

Preferred Experience: Preferably have at least one year of specialized experience working in SPS, RME and/or Operating Room. Experience may include: Managing, interacting and dealing with individuals of varying backgrounds. Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed. Overseeing all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RME. Assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues.
Preferred Characteristics and /or Experience:
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
Grade Determinations:
The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade:

• Nurse I Level I - Education and Experience Requirement: A Diploma or Associate Degree (ADN) in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required.
• Nurse I Level II - Education and Experience Requirement: A Diploma or ADN in Nursing and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to a Nurse I, Level 1; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse I Level III - Education and Experience Requirement: A Diploma or ADN in Nursing and two years of professional nursing experience, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Bachelor's degree in nursing and one year of professional nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 2; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no professional nursing experience; or a Master's degree in a related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience.
• Nurse II - Education and Experience Requirement: Bachelor's degree in nursing and two years of professional nursing experience, one of which is a year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR Master's degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I, Level 3; OR Doctorate degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience; OR Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with no professional nursing experience.
• Nurse III - Education and Experience Requirement: Master's degree in nursing with two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR Master's degree in a related field with a bachelor's degree in nursing with two years of specialized nursing experience, one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR Doctorate degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III; OR Doctorate degree in a related field with a master's or bachelor's degree in nursing with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III.
  • Dimension Requirement. Nurses at Nurse III must meet ALL the following dimension requirements to qualify for Nurse III.
    • i Practice. Demonstrates expertise in professional practice using the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation and evaluation) with improved evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting.
    • ii Veteran/Patient Driven Care. Leads initiatives to improve Veteran/patient experience. Satisfaction and/or safety beyond the immediate practice setting.
    • iii Leadership. Communicates and collaborates as an effective leader of the interprofessional team, at the expert level, with improved evidence-based and/or data-driven outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting.
    • iv Professional Development. Enhances knowledge base and practice evaluation, at the expert level, with improved outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting.
    • v Evidence Based Practice/Research. Leads the identification and integration of evidence-based practice/research with clinical expertise to improve quality of care and resource utilization at the expert level with improved outcomes beyond the immediate practice setting.

Reference: VA Regulations, VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Please see education section for Physical Requirements of position.

Education: Physical Requirements: The work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as mush as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.Employment Type: FULL_TIME