Medical Supply Technician (SPS) Section Chief

Allied Health Professional Duties

Position reports to the Chief of Sterile Processing Service and has staff responsibility for the daily operational and management of the SPS Section, exercising supervisory authority over the Supervisory, Medical Supply Technicians and in turn with the Team Leads and Medical Supply Technicians. The Section Chief of SPS serves as a technical advisor and consultant, including providing RMD oversight, i.e. the reprocessing of critical and semi-critical RMD. As the Section Chief of SPS, the incumbent participates in the planning and the facilitation of sterilization of reusable medical devices for use throughout all clinical and patient care areas of the medical center. The incumbent interacts with subordinates, upper management and other staff, customers, vendors and visitors in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner upholding the VA 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 Section Chief of SPS will recommend staff selection, assigns staff work and providing direction to subordinate staff. The Section Chief of SPS develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate in compliance with regulatory and accrediting organizations. In doing so, he/she contributes to the effective utilization of resources, budgetary allocation and fiscal management. Incumbent is responsible for developing, updating, and writing policies and procedures (including RMD) for the department including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Job Instruction (JI) sheets/documents. Incumbent keeps statistics and records assigned by the Chief of SPS and provides reports at regular intervals. As part of this work, incumbent will recognize significant trends and makes recommendations regarding them including implementing course correction as needed. Incumbent prepares reports on activities of the department and maintains required records of personnel. The incumbent assists in identifying developmental and training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development and training. The Section Chief of SPS assists in ensuring all staff are trained and competent to perform duties and arranges through subordinates Level One training to all employees. The Section Chief of SPS, in collaboration with the Chief of SPS and the SPS Educator, maintains a detailed in-service training program to ensure staff receives appropriate training, and continuing education units to maintain certification or competency. The incumbent partners with the Chief of SPS to maintain a performance improvement/quality control program ensuring product quality assurance through random sampling, biological testing, product assessment and related means. Furthermore, the Section Chief works to meet productivity standards and inventory standards to meet the facility RMD needs. He/she is expected to develop the technical requirements necessary to subsequently order and manage recurring medical and non medical items including appropriate electronic inventory management systems and techniques including the identification of the location of any reusable item at any given time using inventory software and hardware. The employee plans work, develop recommendations, and refines the methods/techniques to be used in SPS which typically involve the interpretation of substantial data, application of criteria to a variety of operating situations. The employee is required to apply for and interpret VA and JCAHO policies, procedures, manufacture guidelines and other regulations. These guidelines are not always fully applicable to specific conditions or specific enough to apply to many situations. Consequently, the Section Chief must interpret policies to conform to local levels and ensure that staff perform duties to meet the regulations. At times, the incumbent may have to assess situations complicated by conflicting/insufficient data and analyze information to determine the applicability of established procedures and the need to deviate/modify from normal methods, techniques, and standards to assure that the SPS department meets productivity and quality standards. These positions may be authorized for a Special Salary Rate (SSR). The SSR is currently pending approval, and salary levels may be adjusted accordingly upon final authorization.

Work Schedule: Fulltime; Various tours to be negotiated upon selection; May include weekends

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs