Sewing Machine Operator

About the role

This position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Mid Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) - Charles George VA Medical Center (VAMC) - Asheville NC - in the Linen Section of Environmental Management Service. The primary purpose of the position is to mend and repair surgical linens and clothing made of fabrics using industrial type sewing - button - and patching machines and fabricate specialty linen items.

Responsibilities

• Mends linens and uniforms consisting of different types of fabrics such as cotton - polyester - polyester/cotton blends - woolen - rayon and nylon fabrics that have numerous parts
• Examines damaged linens and uniforms to determine the nature and extent of needed repairs
• Alters employee uniforms by altering inseams - hemming pants - shirts - smocks - lab coats
• Mends and repairs uniforms according to fitter's pins - chalk marks or verbal instructions making sure to match size and colors of replacement parts to the original garment with the concern of appearance
• Replaces zippers and buttons
• Operates buttonhole machine to make buttonholes in shirts and trousers
• Operates a heat seal machine and an industrial sewing machine
• Performs minor servicing of the machines - like lubricating - and adjusts/keep machines in good working order
• Uses a computerized marking machine for identification to uniforms and linens
• Fabricates special surgical drapes - equipment covers - cubical curtains - draperies - etc using available material - making the proper specifications for size and usage and determines what type of material to use and how much material is needed such as cart covers of many different sizes - removing mesh off of cubical curtains - adding new material to lengthen or shorten cubical curtains for patient privacy
• Maintains inventory of uniforms - linens - and laundry items - in conjunction with records of any salvage of items due to fair wear and tear
• Maintains uniform and linen storage areas keeping records of all items in storage - items sent out for distribution or incoming linen or uniforms - etc
• Maintains records of employee issued uniforms
• Issues new employees' correct type and color of uniforms according to appointment and position title then records the transaction on customer receipt cards
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Requires physical effort involving continuous body and arm movement - sitting - walking - standing - bending - twisting - reaching - sorting - and folding linens and uniforms - and operates sewing machine - button machine - patch machine and label machine. Must be physically able to remain engaged in manual work requiring moderately heavy physical effort during the entire tour of duty. Lifts boxes of linen items and uniforms for storage or uncrating weighing up to 50