Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Summary The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing Technician) receives contaminated critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) in the decontamination area and may also receive noncritical equipment as well. They provide sterilization - preparation - supply items and reusable medical equipment decontamination and distribution support for the medical center. 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. Basic Requirements United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyExperienceSix months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the workor EducationOne 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 positionor Experience/Education CombinationEquivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptableCertificationNoneMay 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)Grade Determinations: Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) GS-03 (Entry Level) Experience or EducationNone beyond the basic requirementsGS-04 (Developmental Level) ExperienceSix months experience as a MST - operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical settingor EducationTwo years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupationNOTE: 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 experienceDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contaminationBasic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument setsBasic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipmentAbility to communicate both orally and in writingGS-05 (Developmental Level) ExperienceOne year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade levelor EducationFour 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 degreeDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn 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 settingsBasic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterilityKnowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment GS-06 (Full Performance Level) ExperienceOne year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade levelDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settingsKnowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contaminationWorking knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy and physiology - microbiology - medical conditions and proceduresKnowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentationAbility to read and interpret written instructions and proceduresPreferred Experience: Re-processing of medical instruments/devices certification Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the positionMay require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushingMay be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employmentWork Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautionsthe area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilatedHowever - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Duties Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to): Sterilizing - preparing - supply items and reusable medical equipmentReceiving contaminated critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment as wellDisassembling the Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) and determines the correct cleaning method - such as - but not limited to - ultrasonic cleaners - mechanical washers/disinfectors - cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents - as determined by manufacturer instructionsInspecting - assembling and determining the correct method and packaging for sterilization - such as - but not limited to steam - Sterrad - Steris - and high-level disinfecting scope re-processorsPerforming and documenting daily operational checks and records for all processes and equipmentMaintaining 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 positionWork Schedule: Monday-Friday 11:00am to 7:30pm (Subject to change based on needs of the Agency) 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 childChild 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 $416.66Retirement: 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) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 01451F - 01452F - 01453F and 01454F