Senior Healthcare Interior Designer – Lead SME (VA Contract)

Senior Healthcare Interior Designer – Lead SME (VA Contract)

Compensation: $45.00 – $52.00 per hour | W-2 Contract Employment

Location: El Paso, TX (On-Site) — El Paso VA Health Care System, 5001 N. Piedras Dr., El Paso, TX 79930

Schedule: Full-Time | Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM

Contract Type: Federal Government Contract | Firm-Fixed-Price

Estimated Start Date: August 2026

Contract Duration: Up to 2.5 years (Base + 4 Option Periods)

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a Senior Healthcare Interior Designer (Lead SME) to support Facilities Management Services (FMS) at the El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVAHCS). This is a full-time embedded federal contract role within the VA's Capital Improvement Team.

The Lead Interior Designer SME serves as the acting Interior Designer for the existing EPVAHCS campus and as the primary interior design authority for a major Replacement Healthcare Center (HCC) project. You will work as a technical expert with technical independence under the general supervision of the Supervisory Healthcare Engineer, coordinating with engineers, architects, and clinical stakeholders across complex and frequently urgent capital improvement projects.

This role will also mentor any newly hired VA Interior Designer who comes aboard during the contract period.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and implement a comprehensive Interior Design Program from concept through installation for all EPVAHCS areas including satellite facilities
• Produce and manage Room Data Sheets (RDS), room finish schedules, door/hardware schedules, and interior layouts reconciled to VA-SEPS (PG-18-9) outputs
• Develop signage and wayfinding packages per VA Signage Design Manual (PG-18-10), integrating code/life-safety signage with patient-friendly directional systems
• Coordinate FF&E selections with VA SEPS/PG-18-5 Equipment Guide List outputs, ensuring infection prevention compatibility, accessibility compliance, and clinical workflow support
• Specify finishes for all healthcare environments including ORs, sterile processing, pharmacy cleanrooms, isolation rooms, and behavioral health spaces
• Verify compliance of all interior assemblies with VA PG-18-14, Room Finishes, Door & Hardware Schedule, and FGI Guidelines (2022)
• Apply VA PG-18-13 Barrier-Free Design Standard (ADA/ABA/ABAAS) requirements including VA's more stringent clearances, SCI/D considerations, and accessible routes
• Develop transition/activation plans including temporary wayfinding, move coordination, and staff training materials
• Support COR for all furnishings, window treatments, cubicle curtains, wall coverings, floor coverings, lighting, and casework from origination through installation
• Produce owner SOPs, training, and turnover documentation consistent with VA commissioning and O&M deliverable expectations
• Manage interior design file system including drawings, specifications, budgets, contracts, and resource library
• Produce monthly comprehensive reports covering design activities, project status, deficiencies, and recommendations

  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 7–10+ years of healthcare interior design experience
• VA/VHA interior design experience strongly preferred
• Working mastery of VA TIL interior design standards:
• PG-18-10: Interior Design Manual and Signage & Wayfinding
• PG-18-14: Room Finishes, Door & Hardware Schedule
• PG-18-9: VA SEPS Space Planning Criteria
• PG-18-1: Master Construction Specifications
• PG-18-13: VA Barrier-Free Design Standard
• NCIDQ certification preferred
• CHID (Certified Healthcare Interior Designer) and/or EDAC certification a plus
• Knowledge of infection prevention requirements for surface materials, healthcare disinfectants, and CDC cleaning guidance
• Familiarity with CMS Physical Environment expectations and NFPA 101/99 life safety context as it impacts interior design
• Experience with FGI Guidelines for Design & Construction (2022) for hospitals and outpatient facilities

  PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with BIM coordination and FM data integration
• Experience with VA IOT&A (Initial Outfitting, Transition, and Activation) processes
• Experience specifying finishes for ISO-classified pharmacy cleanrooms and sterile processing departments
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, or similar design software
• Experience managing interior design programs for multi-building federal healthcare campuses

  SECURITY / BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to pass a federal background investigation (NACI)
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card
• Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States

  BENEFITS

• Competitive hourly pay: $45.00 – $52.00/hr
• Stable long-term federal contract — up to 2.5 years of work

• HOW TO APPLY

  Submit your resume to Kevin@allmedstaffinginc.com with subject line:

  "Healthcare Interior Designer Lead SME – El Paso VA"

  We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  #ZR