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. 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 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. Preferred Experience: Minimum of Bachelor Science Nursing (BSN), with at least 1-year Operating Room Nurse experience. Must have at least 1 year minimum of Sterile Processing Service 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. 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: In accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 5019 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 be able to stand for long periods of time, with deep knee bending and lifting at least 40 pounds consistently throughout an 8-hour period. 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. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards\nThe Sterile Processing Service/Reusable Medical Equipment Educator (SPS/RME) is a nurse with a wealth of knowledge and clinical experience in operating room nursing and/or sterile processing. S/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\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)Retirement: 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)Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory\nWork Schedule: Full-Time, Monday-Thursday 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]