This Advanced Medical Supply Technician position is in the Sterile Processing Service at the VA Medical Center, located in West Haven Connecticut. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

The Advanced Medical Supply Technician (MST) is assigned to Sterile Processing Service (SPS) and provides safe efficient practices for decontamination, high level disinfection, instrument assembly and sterilization for all SPS. The Advanced MST supports SPS initiatives to meet the facility needs for critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME). Duties include but are not limited to: Decontamination of RME: Collects, receives, decontaminates and inspects all soiled, instruments, equipment, and apparatus to include complex diagnostic equipment and medical apparatus; Ensures disassembly of removable parts to ensure RME can be appropriately decontaminated to ensure all bioburden is removed. Completely and thoroughly disassembles and positions all parts of technical RME to ensure the removal of bioburden. Performs leak tests on flexible endoscopes to determine the integrity of the scope is intact prior to initiating the cleaning and high-level disinfection or terminal sterilization process. Operates decontamination equipment such as washer decontaminators, ultrasonic equipment, cart washers, automated electronic solution/dilution dispensers, and irrigators; Follows all manufacturers' instructions on cleaning/decontamination of RME using department's Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and manufacturer guidelines. Sterilization: Inspects, assembles, packages, and sterilizes all trays, sets, and packs used for a variety of general and specialized medical and surgical procedures; Performs RME integrity testing in accordance with the Quality Management Program (e.g. uses laparoscopic insulscan tester, borescope type channel checks, biological sterilizer testing, visual inspection and instrument integrity checks; Maintains records for all high level disinfect and sterilization that are processed including interpretation of all biological monitoring, minimum effective concentration levels (MEC), validation of monitoring results, and quality assurance checks to ensure parameters are met. Quality Assurance Support and Reports: Performs quality assurance activities including but not limited to monitoring biological and chemical indicators and integrators, Bowie dick tests, time/temperature graphs (if applicable), and ensuring appropriate RME checks are performed and documented prior to and after sterilization or reprocessing; Performs other quality assurance activities including verifying accuracy of labeling, contents, cleanliness, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, work orders entered in computer, and sterilization parameters checks; Evaluates gathered data and based upon findings, makes recommendations to improve effectiveness or processes; Follows local Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) which are written in accordance with the manufacturers' written instructions for reprocessing RME; Consults SPS leads or supervisor(s) when clarification of written instructions are needed; fully understands the reprocessing of reusable medical equipment is never based on vendors' verbal instructions, as this is not an adequate practice. May be assigned additional duties and to "on-call" tours and when called in must be able to work independently in performing all duties. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 11:00 am to 7:30 pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 689-F03221 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Notifications: 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 and/or Education: (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or (2) 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 (3) 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: GS-07: Advanced Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-06. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others. Assignment. The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room. Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. 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. Preferred Experience: 2+ years of experience in Sterile Processing Experience References: VA Handbook 5005/83, Part II, Appendix G47, Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standard GS-0622. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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]