Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

About the role

The Medical Supply Technician (MST) is assigned to the Sterile Processing Service (SPS). The MST is involved in the reprocessing of Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) in support of all clinical services provided within the two divisions of VA Saint Louis, both in the surgical suites and outpatient areas.

Responsibilities

• Provides sterilization, preparation, and decontamination support for the medical center.
• Determines appropriate method of sterilization and attaches chemical indicator tape to package.
• Removes gross contamination, pre-sterilizes biological contamination and decontaminates all reusable supplies and equipment.
• Provides inventory support and physically maintains stock at secondary inventory locations for SPS.
• Receives new supplies, checks deliveries for quality and quantity.
• Stores items in accordance with inventory system.
• Packages individual items or assembles items into sets or trays.
• Properly disassembles supply items avoiding damage or unnecessary wear.
• Utilizes Standard Operating Procedures and manufacturer instructions during required troubleshooting.
• Visually examines items for damage, deterioration, or imperfections such as rust, pitting, and cracks.
• Uses seasoned judgment to ensure minimum potential for damage to equipment.
• Operates medical equipment to determine whether it operates correctly after reassembly.
• Assembles case carts for the operating room utilizing case sheets containing all necessary items.
• Determines the right personal protective equipment in all areas, and ensures compliance of staff with those requirements.
• Provides staff with appropriate education and information to minimize or eliminate exposure to contamination, chemicals, and potentially infectious diseases.

Requirements

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).

Qualifications

• 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.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 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.
• Health/Vision/Dental/Term Life/Long-Term Care: Many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Work Schedule: Full time. Rotating shifts to include on-call, days, nights, weekends and holidays. Schedules are subject to change based on the needs of the health care system.
• Telework: Not authorized.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

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).