Serves as a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) in the Sterile Processing Services (SPS) Section. The incumbent is a member of the SPS team that performs a wide area of duties, including various cleaning, decontamination, assembly, sterilization and distribution processes associated with medical, surgical, and Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) throughout all services at the facility. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and/or Education 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. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j Grade Determinations: GS-3 (Entry Level) Requirements Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements GS-04 (Developmental Level) Requirements 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 US. 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. GS-05 (Developmental Level) Requirements Education: 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. GS-6 (Full Performance Level) Requirements Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Preferred Experience: HSPA certification preferred but not required References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/76 PART II APPENDIX G47 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: Moderate lifting (15-44lbs), Moderate Carrying (15-44lbs), Pushing (2 Hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (4 hours), Standing (6 hours), repeated bending (2 hours), both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid permitted) ["Major Duties: Maintains knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination, as well as knowledge of sterility principles in-regards to instrumentation. Maintains knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Responsible for the collection and receipt of all used, soiled reusable critical and semi-critical RME, utilizing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and infection control procedures to prevent cross-contamination of other equipment and personnel during the collection and transport of the soiled RME. Responsible for the proper disassembly of technical medical instrumentation and equipment, where internal parts may become contaminated, which requires dexterity, skill, careful positioning of parts, and the elimination of any bioburden. Responsible for thorough inspection for cleanliness, damage, deterioration, or imperfections such as rust, pitting and cracks that could affect the quality of patient care. Responsible for ensuring that the items function properly and must be knowledgeable of the purpose and proper usage of medical instrumentation. Responsible for the manual cleaning, high-level disinfection and/or sterilization of endoscopes, to include both upper and lower GI endoscopes, Cysto-Uretero Fiberscopes, transducers and various ultrasound probes classified as semi-critical reusable medical equipment. Independently responsible for the proper operation of a variety of automated cleaning and disinfection equipment, to include washer/disinfector, ultrasonic machines, automated endoscope re-processors, sterilizers, and electrical conductivity testing devices. Responsible for ensuring that quality assurance testing of the effectiveness of the equipment operation is completed and documented to include bioburden testing, minimum effective concentration (MEC) testing, cavitation effectiveness testing, and washer/disinfector effectiveness testing. Changes and resets timers and selects different parameter requirements on decontamination cycles. Identifies and properly disposes of single-use devices (SUDs). Conforms to and ensures that all safety and infection control rules, regulations, and requirements (e.g., dress code and traffic control procedures) in both the decontamination and preparation areas are followed by all personnel working in, or entering, the work area. Independently operates a variety of high- and low-temperature sterilization equipment, to include steam, and hydrogen peroxide plasma. Responsible for ensuring that quality assurance testing of the effectiveness of the equipment operation is completed and documented to include mechanical, chemical and biological monitoring. Independently prepares the full range of trays and sets necessary for use in various areas of the medical center, to include multiple clinic areas listed above. Reassembles surgical instrument sets as required for use by ophthalmic, urological, orthopedic, podiatry, and dental specialties, among others. Considers patient procedure scheduling in clinical areas to determine need for instrument tray turn-around and makes recommendations to management for purchase of additional items. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday through Friday, 11am to 7:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

Return to Search Results