Summary

The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6) - VA Medical Center - in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) - Hampton - VA. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination - sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). Medical Supply Technicians (MSTs) receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision.

Duties

• Duties: Responsible for sterile preparation which is accomplished through inspection - assembly - packaging - and terminal sterilization of all trays - sets - and packs for use throughout the facility
• Assemblies range from simple sets of four or five instruments to very complex sets of up to ninety instruments such as Total joint sets - femoral vascular - radical nephrectomy - abdominal vascular - chest sets - thoracic - orthopedic implant sets - carotid vascular - general surgery sets - etc
• Assembles delicate micro-surgical sets such as micro-surgical ear set
• ENT plastic set for procedures requiring plastic surgery - micro-surgical eye instruments - and other surgical specialties
• Assembles and selects the correct sterilizing method for a variety of costly and delicate equipment such as flexible resectoscopes and other flexible and rigid endoscopes
• Tests instruments for functionality and assembles instruments in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines
• Selects appropriate methods for sterilizing - balancing time constraints with possible detrimental effects of quicker methods
• Independently prepares the full range of trays and sets necessary to be used in the wards - clinic areas - dental clinic and surgery
• Considers surgery schedules and Clinic schedules along with considering time factors for processing order to determine how many items to stock based on the turnaround time for processing - preparation and frequency of use
• Effectively processes and sterilizes a wide variety of implant devices in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations - and ensure that they are held for the required time post sterilization per regulations
• Responsible for the collection and receipt of all used soiled supplies - instruments - or equipment
• Removes soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids - and other contaminants by wiping - soaking - rinsing - scrubbing and use of ultrasonic equipment
• Assumes leadership responsibilities to perform peer training as well as provide user training and instruction pertaining to correct operating and preventative maintenance procedures of medical equipment
• Identifies trends - recommends solutions - and implements quality improvement initiatives and program related activities related to program effectiveness
• Regularly tests operations and cleaning of equipment for effectiveness of sterilization
• The incumbent monitors performance of sterilizers for quality control by conducting bacteriological tests
• Conforms to and ensures that all safety and infection control rules - regulations and requirements in the decontamination and preparation areas are followed by all personnel working in - or entering - the work area
• Utilize knowledge and experience to react to requests for emergent and/or urgent RME supply needs ensuring positive outcomes
• Utilize knowledge of equipment - its use - and specific procedures to respond to inquiries about the equipment and potential equipment substitutions
• Utilize computers to perform record keeping - tracking operations
• Processes emergent requests - prepares tray lists - and updates files as required
• Conducts inventory of all sterilized trays checking package integrity and expiration dates
• Pickup and deliver Reusable Medical Equipment (RMD) within Hampton Campus and offsite Clinics
• Transporting and delivering supplies using Gov vehicle
• Work Schedule: Third Shift Rotating Schedule as needed weekly basis
• Week 1: Monday through Friday 11pm to 7:30am Week 2: Tuesday through Saturday 12am to 8:30am
• May also be placed on 2nd shift if needed Monday through Friday 2pm to 10:30pm
• Pull Call weekly on a rotating basis - during non-duty hours
• Monday through Friday - Saturday - Sundays - and Holidays
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required