Veteran Infection Prevention Act
Sponsored By: Representative Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
In Committee
Summary
This bill would require mandatory professional certification for sterile processing technicians in the Veterans Health Administration. It would pair that requirement with accredited training and a scholarship pathway and set 2-year deadlines for certification.
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- New hires in non-entry-level sterile processing technician roles would need to obtain certification within 2 years of appointment.
- Current VHA employees who lack certification would have 2 years after enactment to become certified.
- Covered employees could receive scholarships under existing VA scholarship authorities to pay for certification. Scholarship recipients would owe 2 years of service starting when they receive certification.
- The Secretary may designate certain positions as entry-level and exempt them from the immediate certification requirement.
- The policy aims to standardize sterile processing across the VHA and strengthen infection prevention for veterans.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Required certification for VA sterile technicians
If enacted, the bill would require most Veterans Health Administration sterile processing technicians to hold an accredited sterile processing technician certification. New hires would need the certification no later than two years after appointment, unless the Secretary designates the position as entry-level. The bill would let current non-certified sterile processing technicians (those in the job on enactment day who lack certification) receive scholarships under subchapter VI of chapter 76 to get the certification. Scholarships would be available upon enactment. If awarded a scholarship, the employee would owe two years of service starting the day they receive certification. The certification rule for current non-certified employees would apply two years after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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