Career Center

The VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) is a Level 1a major interdisciplinary teaching healthcare system, offering a variety of Inpatient and Outpatient services. VASDHS provides high quality care with advanced technologies and a commitment to friendly, compassionate service to Veterans in the San Diego and Imperial Valley counties. This position may be closed earlier once the selection is made. 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. 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). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. 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. Preferred Experience: 2 years of Sterile Processing Educator experience 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. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse IV - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 3-4 years of nursing practice/experience. Nurse V - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN (or a Bachelor's degree in a related field) and approximately 5-6 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree (preferred) in nursing or related field and appropriate basic or advanced certification desired, and approximately 4-5 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. 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. The position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures or home settings. 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. Must complete annual Occupational Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as condition of employment. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards The Sterile Processing Service Staff Educator (SPS) is a nurse with a wealth of knowledge and clinical experience in operating room nursing and/or sterile processing. She/he demonstrates assembly and disassembly of complex surgical instruments and flexible endoscopes, selects appropriate methods of manual and automated cleaning, performs high level disinfection, and most methods of sterilization. Duties may include but are not limited to: The incumbent is a professional registered nurse who provides leadership and assumes continuing responsibility for the ongoing development, implementation, coordination, maintenance, and evaluation of the education program for Sterile Processing Service (SPS) technical and professional staff. S/he is proficient in quality control testing of these activities such as but not limited to biological monitoring of sterilizers, testing instrument function, and use of chemical disinfectants. S/he is knowledgeable and provides hands-on training in these activities to meet or exceed the requirements as identified in AAMI/ANSI Standards, AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice, International Organization Standards (ISO 9001), and in accordance with all regulatory agencies. The SPS/RME Educator also provides education throughout the organization as required to personnel that are involved with cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical equipment (RME) in the immediate area outside of SPS. The comprehensive education plan is developed each year to support a risk-based analysis of standard operating procedures based on device manufacturers' instructions for use to ensure personnel are competent to reprocess RME used in all clinical settings. The SPS/RME Educator represents the Sterile Processing Service as representative on the VASDHS Emergency and Disaster Management Committee providing safety preparedness training, coordination of service response to drills, and updates to the service's Emergency Management and Continuation of Operations Plan. S/he promotes using professional standards of care, scientific evidence, and practice to evaluate programs and/or service activities. The SPS/RME Educator works under the direction of the Chief, Sterile Processing Service to plan, evaluate, and maintain a robust education and training program. He/she works independently with minimal supervision using program related guidelines and professional judgment. Must complete Level II Certified Registered Medical Supply Technician, within 1 year of appointment (National Certification encouraged) Must be proficient with Microsoft office applications, to include WORD, Excel, PowerPoint. Performs other duties, as assigned. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases 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: Full-Time, Monday-Thursday 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

Return to Search Results