The Lead Medical Support Technician (MST) works in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team. SPS is the central point within the Medical Center from which patient care medical/surgical supply inventory; instruments and equipment are received, processed, packaged and distributed. SPS consists of three distinct units: Decontamination; Sterile Preparation and Distributions.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Distributes and prioritizes workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations. Assures an even workflow and distribution of the workload. Revises work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload. Assigns work to staff based on experience and training needs. Monitors and reports to SPS Chief or Assistant Chief on the status of work. Assigns tasks as necessary to provide new employees with the experience and training required to perform decontamination of scopes and instrumentation in the work area. Ensures SOPs and SPS mandates are followed during the performance of workflow. Collaborates with SPS Assistant Chief to set standards for work on such things as work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines reviews work in progress or spot checks work not requiring review to ensure completed work meets supervisors' instructions. Assesses the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of technical medical equipment, material, and instrumentation. Provides information to SPS Chief and Assistant Chief concerning performance issues, assignment changes, and task completion. Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing and scrubbing. Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Steris VPRO, and high-level disinfecting. Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Prepared operating room case carts. Correctly organizes Reprocessed items on shelves, insuring that rotation of stock using first in- first out (FIFO) method. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). Performs high level disinfection using Cidex OPA, or equivalent according to manufacturer guidelines; documents and validates that chemicals are tested and meet requirements to ensure that disinfection has properly occurred. Responsible for assembling highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to: major orthopedic total joint, vascular and other complex instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room. Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment. Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines. Assists in the hiring, training of new staff. Collaborates with Assistant Chief to provides education and signs off competencies to other SPS staff and Performs other administrative duties assigned by SPS Chief or Assistant SPS Chief. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 11:00 pm- 7:30 am. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: VA CT FS Lead MST (SPS) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. NOTIFICATIONS: DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (COVID-19 - VA 002) in-accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3304(a)(3) and 5 CFR 337.205(b)(1)-(4). This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies with various shifts,(Days, Evenings or Nights). This position is in the Excepted Service. This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special rate. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.

Requirements

Qualifications

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: Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work. Or: 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. Or Experience/Education Combination: 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. 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). Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs to the GS-6 grade level: 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. Candidate must also demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. Skills in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. Skills in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/83 PART II APPENDIX G47The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-7 level. Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address West Haven VA Medical Center 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 US
• Name: Emily Wayne-Lane
• Phone: 781-687-2000 (6764)
• Email: [email protected]