Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

The positions are located in the Sterile Processing Service, James J. Peters VAMC. The assignment involves receiving and reprocessing Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) (instruments) which will be used by various customers for scheduled or emergency procedures. Assignment also includes advising surgical teams and other customers on the availability and time required to provide specific instrumentation which has a direct effect on surgical and ambulatory care procedure outcome and patient safety. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance) : Not Authorized Basic Requirements : Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.) Experience and / or Education (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or (2) Education. One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in health care related courses such as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, and operating room and surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position; or (3) Experience / Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Certification. None. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current MST Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with MST responsibilities. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid / non-paid employment as a MST. (2) Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MST experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a MST is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MST employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1 / 2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. Grade Determinations : The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-06 (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs : 1. Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. 2. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. 3. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. 4. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation. 5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. (c) Assignment. This is the full performance level for the occupation. Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning / decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Preferred Experience : Minimum two years of hands-on experience as a sterile processing service technician. Candidate should be competent to work independently from decontamination to sterilization and storage of all complex medical instruments. Instrument tracking system experience is also preferred. References : VA Handbook 5005 / 76 Part II, Appendix G47, dated 05 / 28 / 2014 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06, which is the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy. Physical Requirements : Most of the work requires physical strain to include walking, grasping, lifting and carrying different sizes and weights of instrument sets. The employee is subject to the possibility of exposure to hazardous and caustic chemicals, slips, trips, and falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. Incumbent is often required to push and pull carts loaded with heavy instrument sets. Required to work around very hot equipment. Much of the work is performed in tiring positions, such as standing, stooping, loading, etc., while performing many repetitive motions. Heavy loaded carts are often maneuvered over rises and doorsills as well as around fellow staff members. Required to move instruments, sterilization carts and clinic instruments around a department with limited space. [" Medical Supply Aide and Technician : Receives a variety of reusable medical equipment (simple to complex) from the Perioperative Patient Care Center (, OR, GI / Endoscopy, and IR), including inpatient and ambulatory care clinics. Sorts and disassembles the RMD instruments and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning / decontamination solutions, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, hydrogen peroxide gas (Sterrad / V-PRO), ethylene oxide gas (ETO), and automated endoscope (AER) for high level disinfecting endoscopes. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization and high-level disinfection equipment. Routinely inspects trays and single instruments stored in the sterile storage room for breaches in integrity. Ensures all Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) are restocked using the first in first out stock rotation method. Inventories and initiates requests for reprocessing supplies from Logistics / Materiel Management. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the standard operating procedures (SOP's) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RMD appropriate to this position A basic understanding of Medical and Surgical Terminology, therapeutic procedures and of human anatomy and physiology. Be trained to ascertain and verify that all non-biological implants coming into the Medical Center are sterile / sterilized before being delivered to the clinical staff by having them go through SPS for inspection and / or sterilization. Knowledgeable of trays and supply requirements for all surgical procedures to facilitate procedures for case carts in the Operating Room. The incumbents will use our Instrument tracking system (Censitrac) to log and track each piece of instrumentation that undergoes the process of cleaning and sterilization. The incumbents will document and maintained records information for each process as indicated. The incumbents must be proficient and knowledgeable in the cleaning, sterilization, and assembly of minor and complex trays. Must be knowledgeable of High-Level Disinfection methods available in the facility. Knowledgeable to scan intake sheets to EQMS (Electronic Quality Management System) and to enter all non-conformances. Knowledgeable to report all deficiencies to management in a timely manner. Assigned Tasks : Enters temporary work orders (TWOR) Maintain individual workstations in the Preparation room and Decontamination room Performs daily environmental cleaning duties in all assigned work areas. Routinely cleans storage shelves, cabinets, and surfaces of workstations / tables at the end of each shift and as needed, and cleans all sterilizers weekly Routinely utilizes SharePoint system to locate manufacturer instructions, standard operating procedures, upload intake count sheets, upload training documents and CEU's, and enters nonconformities Routinely operates reprocessing equipment including monitoring and documenting load / cycle information Prepares individual surgical case carts with required instrumentation and surgical supplies for scheduled and emergency procedures based on procedure guides and availability of supplies Identifies damaged or missing instruments and if available, replaces to ensure tray or cassette is complete Assists with training of new employees Work Schedule : varying tours / shifts; Will be discussed at time of interview Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Critical Skills Incentive Payment approved through 09 / 2024, conditions apply Paid Time Off : 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave : After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy : After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $ Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance : Federal health / vision / dental / term life / long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Functional Statement # : PD21Q57A Financial Disclosure Report : Not required"]