The Assistant Chief contributes to the oversight of all supervision, administrative management and direction of the SPS at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. Oversees all decontamination, sterilization and disposition of facility critical and semi-critical RME. Contributes to the effective utilization of resources, budgetary allocation and fiscal management. Makes selections, assigns personnel and provides direction to subordinate staff. Manages training, documenting and evaluating of staff. 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. Experience and/or Education (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or (2) Education. One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in health care related courses such as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, and operating room and surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position; or (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Certification. None. Grandfathering Provision. All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. (2) MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). (3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Grade Determinations: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. The experience at the GS-8 level should include: 1. Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds 2. Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed. 3. Ability to oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RME. 4. Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to plan and project staffing needs and requirements. 2. Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds. 3. Ability to manage, direct and adapt work to accomplish program goals and objectives, and meet new and changing program requirements. 4. Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives. 5. Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues. 6. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment, develop options, and make recommendations. 7. Ability to manage, interpret, and present fiscal data (i.e. fund controls, contracts and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs and administer an allocated budget. Assignment. The Assistant Chief contributes to the oversight of all supervision, administrative management and direction of the SPS. Oversees all decontamination, sterilization and disposition of facility critical and semi-critical RME. Develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate in compliance with regulatory and accrediting organizations. Contributes to the effective utilization of resources, budgetary allocation and fiscal management. Makes selections, assigns personnel and provides direction to subordinate staff. Manages the training, documenting and evaluating of staff. Serves as liaison between SPS and other departments. Preferred Experience: National SPS certification Previous Supervisory experience-5 years Strong advanced computer literacy References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, AppendixG47 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["Performs the administrative and daily personnel management functions for the SPS Decontamination, Endoscope Reprocessing, Preparation and Sterilization, and Quality Assurance sections in conjunction with the SPS Chief. Provides advice and counsel to workers related to work and administrative matters. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Observes workers' performance, demonstrates, and conducts work performance critiques. Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance. Develops performance improvement plans and recommends personnel actions as necessary. Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests. Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of safety regulations. Adjusts staffing levels or work procedures within the organizational unit. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, set and adjust short-term priorities, and prepare schedules for completion of work. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees. Hears and resolves complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor or manager. Interviews for openings in the unit, recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignments to such positions. Identifies developmental and training needs of employees, providing for and arranging for needed development and training. Finds ways to improve production or increase the quality of work directed and develops performance standards. Effects minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other actions in more serious cases. Responsible for the execution of plans, direction, and front-line operations of SPS programs to include RME and surgical instrument reprocessing, sterilization, and inventory management. Ensure work priority and sequences, procedures, methods and deadlines are met for the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME) and surgical instrumentations. Ensure the distribution of product, quality assurance, decontamination, endoscope reprocessing, instrument preparation, processing and sterilization, and case cart assembly. Maintain records, logs and files to enable identification, disassembly, cleaning, decontamination, and HLD or sterilization of all RME and surgical instrumentation items to ensure proper reprocessing and disposal methods of affected items. Establish, maintain, and report monthly all bacteriological test results, and preventive maintenance and sterilization tests in accordance with VA policies and directives as well as VA accepted National Standards. Prepares workload and production reports as necessary and reports on highlights of operations and problems in meeting work schedules to higher level supervisors. Assures detailed, current record keeping for sterilization processes, instrumentation tracking, and supply inventories. Assesses the environment, analyzing trends, transmitting data, communicating ideas, developing better practices, and implementing programs and systems, initialing policies, and collaborating with management on resources allocations. Performs analytical work to manage, regulate, coordinate or otherwise exercise control over resources and equipment. Provides facility supply operations and guidance, and acts as a subject matter expert with respect to infection control, proper sterilization methods, etc. Ensures that proper sterilization techniques are being met for inpatient and outpatient treatment at the Medical Center, as well as CBOCs. Assists higher level staff in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating service in a cost-effective manner. Ensures compliance with all regulatory agency standards. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]