Summary

The Registered Nurse Educator/ for Reusable Medical Device (RMD) Coordinator works closely with staff both in Sterile Processing and end-users throughout the Medical Center to educate on the proper pre-cleaning - decontamination - sterilization - monitoring - and storage of RMD. Note: Travel to Richmond for training and orientation will be required until clinic opens in Fredericksburg. We can not provide a time frame for the clinic opening.

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
• Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12804814
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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 - 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 Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Duties

• The Sterile Processing Registered Nurse Educator/RMD Coordinator provides oversight and coordination of standard operating procedures (SOP's) and competencies to the staff and facility
• The RN Educator/RMD Coordinator serves as the monitoring and education specialist for all SPS activities - including cleaning/decontamination - sterilization - reprocessing - and distribution of critical and semi-critical RMD
• This includes following and educating all users or RMD on bacteriological controls - principles - and methods of sterilization - packaging - and assembly of RMD
• Incumbent supports the SPS Chief and SPS Assistant Chief in all duties related to orientation - training - competency - quality assurance and annual review
• Creates and revises competencies related to RMD and monitors compliance in collaboration with the SPS RN Quality Nurse and SPS Assistant Chief
• Responsible and accountable for creation and revision of service-specific policies and procedures to ensure compliance with manufacturer instructions for use (MIFU) and VHA Directives
• Demonstrates expertise in sterile processing standards and educational practices with knowledge of patient care practices - microbiology - asepsis - disinfection/sterilization - adult education - infectious disease - program administration - and epidemiology
• Maintains RMD education material and is responsible for reviewing and analyzing new RMD - changes to manufacturer instructions - and recalls pertaining to RMD
• Performs clinical - administrative - research - and educational components - which impact patients and health care personnel throughout the medical center
• Ensures the practice of nursing and SPS is consistent with external standards such as but not limited to: Joint Commission - Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Center for Disease Control (CDC) - Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (MMI) - and internal standards such as clinical practice guidelines and the Performance Measures for preventive health and chronic disease management
• Performs leadership role in ongoing systematic evaluation and improvement of quality and effectiveness of nursing care and patient outcomes
• Assesses the educational needs of the nursing and ancillary staff and implements an education plan to meet these needs
• Adheres to established SPS standards of practice and standard operating procedures
• demonstrates leadership when applying SPS processing standards and when teaching staff
• Provide hands-on training and competency to all SPS and Facility staff covering the entire process from decontamination - assembly - sterilization - scope reprocessing and distribution of critical and semi-critical RMD throughout the medical center
• Facilitates training of SPS staff through educational programs and job-specific instruction
• Should be well structured - and include hands on demonstrations - return demonstrations - and an evaluation
• Develops - monitors - and revises SPS education programs for both new and existing staff and as required to meet new directives and training goals
• Serve as a formal or informal preceptor and/or mentor to staff and as a subject matter expert (SME) point of contact
• Develops a plan for follow-up training as indicated to achieve competency
• Acts as a liaison and SME for SPS to all services to assure their RMD needs are met
• Incumbent will manage SOP for current and new equipment - including - reviewing - and providing training to all staff
• Monitors and reports the status and progress of training and adjusts curriculum according to established priorities - weekly
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - Monday -Friday (Alternate tour of duty may be required based on needs of agency)Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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