Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

About the role

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.

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.

• 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:
  • Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work
  • 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
  • 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, this part
• Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. 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

Grade Determinations

• GS-03 (Entry Level):
  • Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
  • Assignment: This is an entry level MST position. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision
• 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
  • Education: Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
    • 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
  • Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME)
• GS-05 (Developmental Level):
  • Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
  • 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
  • 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
  • Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing
• GS-06 (Full Performance Level):
  • Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
  • 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 regard to instrumentation
    • Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures
  • 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

Responsibilities

• Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RMD in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well
• Disassembles the RME and determines the appropriate cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers, and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as specified by the manufacturer's instructions
• Inspects, assembles, and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization, such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, and high-level disinfecting scope reprocessors
• Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment
• Follows the guidance set forth in the VHA Directive 1116 and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)
• Demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities: knowledge of universal precautions, medical terminology, sterilization, and cleaning of reusable medical devices, as well as reprocessing equipment
• Reviews the manufacturer's instructions for use (MIFU) to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating, disinfecting, sterilizing, disassembling, and storing RMD
• Actively participates in training and educational activities, including acting as a preceptor to new employees and those employees who require re-orientation/remediation
• Operates and instructs others in the operation of simple and complex SPS reprocessing equipment using written manufacturer's instructions for use and/or SOP
• Examines instruments visually for material imperfections such as rust, pitting, cracks, warping, and/or bending
• Performs stain remediation using industry-approved methods and facility SOP
• Checks the functionality of the items to ensure that they are not damaged or unusable
• Places work orders as needed
• Collaborates with Logistics/Supply Chain Management to ensure correct PAR levels and expiration dates are maintained for supplies utilized in Sterile Processing

Work Schedule and Benefits

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm

• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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)
• 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 $416.66
• 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)