Registered Nurse - sterile Processing Service Educator/coordinator

Nurse Sterile Processing Service Educator/Coordinator

The Nurse Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Educator/Coordinator educates, develops, implements, coordinates, evaluates and maintains programs related to SPS Processes and Reusable Medical Devices (RMD)/Reusable Medical Equipment (RME). This includes integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission, vision, values and strategic priorities for the NF/SG Veteran Health Service.

Responsibilities include staff development and delivery of education programs to include orientation of new employees, evaluation of their progress and for developing and implementing a learning plan for improving identified deficiencies. Provides high quality education, training and research to all staff in the assigned area(s) to promote Veteran wellness and will demonstrate expertise in case finding, health teaching, health counseling, and provision of care supportive to or restorative of life and well-being. Works collaboratively with Nursing leadership and all Services within NFSGVHS in the development and implementation of Patient Care Services and facility-wide educational programs and initiatives to ensure compliance with reusable medical devices (RMD)/reusable medical equipment (RME) directives.

The RN, SPS Educator/Coordinator must learn to lead, collaborate, elicit support, network with interdisciplinary personnel, and collaborate with RME experts/resources outside the facility. Serves the organization as a clinical expert for all staff using any and all RMD/RME under Spaulding Classification, providing education and mentoring in the development of clinical skills. Demonstrates ability to assess and prioritize training needs of the staff and complete competency assessments. Competencies will cover high risk/low volume, regulatory, problem related, new (policies/procedures/equipment/initiatives), and changes. Demonstrates excellent clinical practice and skills, problem-solving skills, and decision-making skills. Works with the SPS Leadership Team to maintains accurate records for each employee within the assigned units/area to include Talent Management System (TMS), Basic Life Support (BLS), and all other unit specific documentation of mandatory trainings specific for the SPS department. Serves as a resource to staff and to the facility, and serves as a mentor or preceptor to new nurses, student nurses, and other staff. Works collaboratively with schools of Nursing, vocational programs and staff regarding patient care needs and staff development issues.

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. 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. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification 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). You may be required to serve a probationary period.

Qualifications Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited 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 have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program. Upon achievement of a State license, the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6); 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 an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program. Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD). 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. Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements, but do not possess the required licensure, may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification.

Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care, and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. Examples include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols Possess valid driver's license as incumbent must travel to Outpatient Clinics for regular educational offerings, roundings, audits, and inspections.

Education Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance to Compete Act.