Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Summary

Medical Supply Technicians (MST) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) receive contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical device (RMD) in the decontamination area, and may receive noncritical equipment. Disassembles RMD and determines the correct cleaning method, such as, but not limited to, ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washer-disinfectors, cart washer and chemical cleaning decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions.

Duties

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The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) as required by this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RMD appropriate to this position. The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RMD appropriate to this position.

Assigned Duties include but are not limited to the following :

GS-3 MST (Entry level) .

• Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical devices (RMD).
• Demonstrates basic and working knowledge of instrumentation to properly identify and accurately

sorts / assembles instrumentation sets and equipment according to assigned categories and established procedures.

GS-4 MST

GS-5 MST

GS-6 MST

Work Schedule : Rotation shifts : Monday-Sunday, including holidays; 7 : 00AM-3 : 30PM, 7 : 30AM-4 : 00PM, 8 : 00AM-4 : 30PM, 9 : 30AM-6 : 00PM, 3 : 00PM-11 : 30PM, and 11 : 00PM-7 : 30AM

Telework : Not Available

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider :

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification / licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements :

(1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations : GS-03 (Entry Level) : Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04 (Developmental Level) :

Experience. Six months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; or

Education. Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. NOTE : Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or nursing assistants obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces, the U.S. Maritime Service, or hospitals under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to 6 months of experience.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below :

1. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.

2. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room / clinic instrument sets.

3. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.

4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.

GS-05 (Developmental Level) :

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; or

Education. Four academic years above high school leading to a Bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation or a Bachelor's degree.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs :

1. Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.

2. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility.

3. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.

GS-06 (Full Performance Level) :

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

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.

5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

Preferred Experience : Possess a SPS Certification from either Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD), or VA Central Office SPS / OSP Level 2.

Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements : This work is performed in various settings : decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility / campus. The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of 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.

Education

Note : Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here : If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit :

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration / Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA / OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.