Summary
The Office of Sterile Processing (OSP) is responsible for providing mission critical operational guidance and oversight to Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and the sterile processing staff on all matters related to the reprocessing of critical and semi-critical resuable medical devices (RMD). The Health System Specialist serves as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) evaluating and providing consultative guidance and analysis of RMD programs at the VISN and facility level.
Duties
The Health System Specialist - Subject Matter Expert (SME) duties include, but are not limited to: Conducting administrative and technical evidence-based reviews of policy documents, issue briefs, peer review executive summaries, business cases and RMD reprocessing and storage documents for OSP concurrence Conducting administrative and technical reviews of issue briefs, peer review of report summaries, business cases, special reports and RMD reprocessing and storage documents for OSP concurrence Planning, coordinating and implementing virtual and onsite VA medical facility assessment of VISN and facility RMD programs Coordinating and preparing reports, briefing materials, white papers and other correspondence for OSP leadership Providing recommendations in support facility level action plans and goals based on site visit findings and data collection methodologies such as Sterile Processing Accountability Tool (SPAT), Risk Identification Triage Mitigation System (RiTMS), and point-in time studies (PIT) Project management responsibilities to include development of project management plans, statements of work, communication plans, business case reports, and implementation/evaluation plans Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM CST Order of Referral: This announcement will close on 08/20/2026. The first 75 applications received will receive first consideration. Applications that are submitted after the initial cut-off number has been reached will not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management. Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work. Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to in person work mandate and highly qualified candidates with assigned space to work in-person from an agency worksite. Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA-owned or leased space. Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in-person work unless they are approved for an exception or an exemption. Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer. Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD47669A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
GS-12 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Providing leadership support to sterile processing and reusable medical device (RMD) programs at the facility and/or VISN level; Utilizing computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentation software to assist in the creation of project management plans, business case reports, and/or implementation/evaluation plans; Utilizing data and evidence based standards to draft reports, guidance, memorandums, and briefing materials for dissemination to leadership; Analyzing inspection results, audits, and other quality assurance related data to identify trends is sterile processing performance; Implementing process improvements to RMD reprocessing process and procedures; and Assisting with the coordinating of virtual and on-site facility or VISN RMD programs. GS-13 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: Providing oversight support to sterile processing and reusable medical device (RMD) programs at the facility and/or VISN level; identifying risks and emerging trends in SPS operations by analyzing inspection results, audits, and other quality assurance related data to identify trends is sterile processing performance; coordinating virtual or on-site assessments of facility or VISN RMD programs to support the development of action plans and identify reprocessing failures and vulnerabilities; Utilizing various computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentation software to draft project management plans, business case reports, and/or implementation/evaluation plans; and Utilizing data and evidence based standards to draft reports, guidance, memorandums, and briefing materials for dissemination to leadership. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
How you will be evaluated
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position: Customer Service Oral Communication Quality Management Risk Management Technical Competence Writing Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.