The Laundry Worker works in the Laundry and Dry Cleaning Section of the Environmental Management Service at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Incumbent receives intensive on-the-job training for a variety of tasks and may work any of the approved shifts and/or work areas. Duties may include working on both the soiled linen side as well as the clean or finish side of the laundry area. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Opening Date: August 5, 2023 Closing Date: September 29, 2023 First Cut-Off Date: August 15, 2023 NOTE: This is an Open Continuous Announcement, qualified candidates will be referred as vacancies occur. Eligible applications received after August 15, 2023 will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Final application disposition will be completed at the end of the open period stated in the announcement. Applications submitted after August 15, 2023, may not receive consideration. In addition, due to the potential of a high volume of applicants, not all applicants may receive consideration. EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Likelihood of Success Operation of Equipment/Machinery Reliability And Dependability Work Practices 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. Note: 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. ["This occupation is being considered for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive (CSI). Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI. The amount of lump sum CSI is determined based on appointment date and may be pro-rated as determined by the end date of the CSI. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. Incumbent performs a wide range of textile care duties in both the clean side and the soiled side of the laundry plant, including the following: Soiled side: Removes and transports soiled linen throughout the hospital and designated laundry chute rooms. Operates hydraulic cart dump machine, digital scale, conveyor and pneumatic rail system. Empties linen bags and sorts linen into the proper bins while wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Clean/Finish side: Folds rough dry linens; pajamas, gowns, bathrobes, blankets, washcloths, mattress pads, etc., stacking in prescribed numbers and proper areas. Incumbent shakes out, straightens and feeds linen into the spreader and flatwork ironer, blanket machine and small piece folder. Operates equipment such as ironer, blanket folder, small piece folder and ATS delivery system. Delivers and restocks clean linen throughout the hospital. Prepares linen packs for autoclave in Sterile Processing Section (SPS). Vigilantly inspects surgical linen for stains and imperfections and removes all lint. Assembles and wraps Operating Room (OR) linens according to specifications. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 4:45am - 1:15pm Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not available Position Description Title/PD#: Laundry Worker / PD60267A and PD60266A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Bargaining Unit Position: Yes, under AFGE 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. Physical Effort: Incumbent must be in good physical condition as the job requires continuous body and arm movement, walking, standing, twisting, bending and pushing. Incumbent must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, be able to work from a ladder, and be able to push loaded carts through hallways and on/off elevators. Must be able to visually inspect linens and be able to hear bells and alarms on equipment. Working Conditions: Performs duties under favorable lighting, various temperatures that are sometimes extreme heat or cold and atmospheric conditions. On occasion, may be exposed to strong cleaning solutions. Incumbent is exposed to dirt and disagreeable odors, minor injuries, noise from working with power equipment, contagions and possible infection. Normally, there is a chance of minor cuts, bruises and chapped hands. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being."]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.