The Lead Medical Supply Technician (MST) works in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team. Distributes and prioritizes an even workload in all SPS areas, decontamination, preparation, high level disinfecting and storage of RME rooms, among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations. Basic Requirements: Please review the entire announcement for additional requirements for higher level positions as announced. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or 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 Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. 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). All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Qualifications at the announced level, GS8 are as follows: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS7 with the following: The applicant must demonstrate the following KSAs and experience from the GS7 Level: Ability to read and interpret written procedures and select appropriate action in order to instruct staff in correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments. This experience includes but is not limited to: Assemble highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Process all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room. Review manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. Troubleshoot and analyze mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment. Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/83, Part II Physical Requirements: Refer to VA Handbook 5019. ["Duties include but are not limited to the following: The work involves segments of the overall function of the service, ensuring the availability of a large number of medical instrument sets and equipment to medical center clinical service, operating room, dental, and other customers. The employee's work directly affects patient care at the medical center and other organizations serviced. Distributes and balances the workload among employees in accordance with established work flow or job to ensure timely accomplishment and meet all quality assurance support report activities. Thorough knowledge of the use, operation, maintenance, assembly, and disassembly of the full range of simple and complex in nature RME and the specific cleaning, decontaminating, high-level disinfecting, assembly, sterilizing, and storage requirements of each to ensure that the integrity of the RME is available for patient use and is not compromised. Working knowledge of aseptic principles, techniques, and reprocessing equipment operations, including; characteristics of various types of detergents/enzymatic solutions/high level disinfectant solutions and the many types of cleaning brushes, cleaning techniques, technical equipment such as; ultrasonic equipment, sterilizers and automatic scope reprocessors, sterilizer operations, sterilizer parameters, tests to determine effectiveness of sterilization, and packaging, storage and shelf-life characteristics to ensure that RME is sterilized and stored according to manufacturer specifications for individual RME. Employee takes active role in the problem solving of sterilization process concerns to include the various types of reprocessing equipment utilized in the sterile processing service. The incumbent usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another while performing duties. Is frequently required to lift packages weighing 50 pounds, and regularly pushes carts weighing up to 300 pounds for or extended distances. Give on the job training, instructs employees, observes competency of staff, spot checks, ament or reject work, review completed work, documentation and record control activities, to see that supervisor's instruction has been met in accordance with established procedures and practices. Maintains a current knowledge and answers questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives, etc. Determines the criticality category of RME using the Spaulding Classification System and interprets standard operating procedures and manufacturer's instructions to determine the proper method of reprocessing. Understands the critical nature of reprocessing RME according to manufacturer guidelines and the significant risk and impact infectious diseases can have on our Veteran population and employees. Complies with all local, federal, state and other requirements to include safety/fire prevention rules/regulations, waste/management principles, using protective equipment when required and provided. Reviews Safety Data sheets, promptly reports all accidents and notifies supervisor of unsafe/unhealthful conditions in the workplace. Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in facility or service level safety promotions as directed by supervisor. Knows fire drill and emergency plans for work area, including location of all emergency fire equipment. Work Schedule: Tours may vary Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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