Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Summary

The Medical Supply Technician (MST) works within the Sterile Processing Service Line at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. In this position, the incumbent will provide sterilization, preparation, supply items and reusable medical equipment decontamination and distribution support for the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Receive contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME) in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment
• Disassembles RME 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
• 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 processes and equipment

Requirements

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
  • 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
  • Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable
• Certification: None
• English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j
• 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: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

• GS-3 (Entry Level): Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 (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. 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: 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):
  • 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
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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-06 (Full Performance Level):
  • Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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

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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Schedule

• Full-time - Monday - Friday 3:00pm - 11:30pm CST, variable days rotating holidays & weekends

Pay & Benefits

• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off 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)
• This occupational series may be eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $40,000 annually, up to $100,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a three-year service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Contact VHAV23SLRP@va.gov for more information.