Career Center

The Syracuse VA Medical Center is recruiting for one (1) Full Time RN - Sterile Processing Services (SPS) Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) Educator. 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. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-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). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (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. 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. 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 - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, kneeling, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or during patient procedures and care. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Sterile Processing Services (SPS) Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) Educator is a Registered Nurse with a degree from and NLN-accredited program with a history of successful nursing practice, currently licensed in any state or territory. This position requires a knowledge in an operating room setting with knowledge of surgical instrumentation, assembly, disassembly, and operation to effectively and efficiently implement instruction for use when preparing training on cleaning of such items. This position requires a high level of knowledge and experience in SPS when reviewing Manufacturer's Instructions (MI) and Instructions for Use (IFU) prior to purchase and when performing training on SOPs. This requires knowledge of all equipment used in SPS: steam, Plasma sterilization, washer/disinfectors, ultrasonic cleaners, chemical agents, AORN/IAHCSMM/AAMI standards and parameters, and quality measures. The RME Educator will be responsible for collaborating in developing policies and procedures. The RME Educator assesses, monitors, analyzes and evaluates the educational needs in the SPS area in conjunction with facility requirements and the needs of SPS, the OR and other units/work areas for which SPS services for equipment and instrumentation is utilized. The RME Educator will be responsible for developing programs for staff education and maintain appropriate records for training of staff. The RME Educator collaborates with multiple disciplines in the assessment, planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation of an effective program including orientation, continuing education, and in-services. Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, SharePoint, and familiarity with other computer programs and data processing as they pertain to SPS functions. The RME Educator is an accessible leader who reports directly to the Chief of SPS or designee with second line reporting to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services/Nurse Executive. The RME Educator provides leadership and assumes continuing responsibility for the development, implementation, coordination, maintenance, and evaluation of staff development and training. This includes integrated programs that cross services and/or discipline lines and influence the organizational mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities for the VA Healthcare System. The RME Educator establishes effective relationships with all SPS, and all RME users throughout the facility. The RME Educator has outstanding ability to present, educate, and motivate all levels of hospital staff, including the executive level, to ensure compliance with RME directives. The RME Educator must collaborate, elicit support, and network with interdisciplinary personnel, and collaborate with RME experts/resources outside of the facility. Incumbent will verify with SPS prior to the release of any new critical or semi-critical RME for patient use that the staff have completed all competencies associated with the items. Incumbent is responsible for being self-directed in the delivery of patient care under minimal supervision by the Nurse Manager. During non-administrative tours, the Nurse Supervisor provides general supervision and approves leave. The RME Educator will also be responsible for other duties as assigned. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases\nPaid 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)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Days (off tours and weekends may be required)\nTelework: Not Available.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]