This is an Advanced Medical Supply Technician (MST) position for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) of the Eastern Colorado Healthcare System-Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center located in Aurora Colorado. The series includes positions that will be supporting the decontamination, preparation, and distribution of the hospitals critical and semi critical Reasonable Medical Devices (RMD).

Duties

Receives contaminated critical and semi critical reusable medical devices (RMD) in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment as well. Disassembles the 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's instructions for use. Inspects, assembles, and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization, such as, but not limited to steam, V pro, and high-level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all processes and equipment. Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) are any medical equipment designed by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patients. All personnel who are involved in the reprocessing of RMD are responsible for knowing what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices, or supplies are used (inventory) in their clinical area. All personnel who are involved in the use of RM D must be familiar with which items are reprocessed locally (on unit) and/ or which items are sent to Sterile Processing for reprocessing and/ or sterilization. If items are transported for reprocessing, personnel must be aware of the individual decontamination steps that must be taken prior to transportation of item and the appropriate method of transportation. All personnel who are involved in the reprocessing of RMD are responsible for following the local standard operating procedure (SOP) drafted in accordance with the manufacturers written instructions for use. Sterile processing and Infection Control should be consulted when clarification of written instructions is needed. No one should be reprocessing any reusable medical devices based upon vendors verbal instructions alone this is not an adequate practice. All personnel that are in any way involved in the reprocessing of RMD must have documented training in the setup, reprocessing and maintenance of specific equipment. Validation of competencies will be done according to national policy guidelines. All personnel that have the responsibility of reprocessing RMD Cam suspend the reuse of any RMD if they suspect that the device was not properly cleaned, disinfected or sterilized according to the SOP and manufacturers written instructions for use. Single use (disposable) medical devices will not be reused or re sterilized. All personnel must understand the importance of RMD and the significant impact on our Veteran population through the risk of infectious disease. Work Schedule: Variable Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-56362-O, Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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 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. Certification. None. Grade Determinations: GS-7 Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. 2. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. 3. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. 4. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures. 5. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments. 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). References: VA Handbook 5005 Appendix G47 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 day and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The employee transports trays and equipment on the carts that may weigh up to 300 pounds when full. The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating and disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. On a regular and reoccurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled environment that is clean. The employee wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warm period the employee uses insulated gloves to remove hot carts from sterilizers. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilization gases are unknown period technician may be exposed to fumes from various high level disinfectants and cleaning chemicals. Technicians are periodically monitor and tested for exposure to certain hazardous chemicals. The employee often works around body fluids, mucus, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody and grossly contaminated instrumentation are reusable medical devices. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of case carts and operation of pre sterilization equipment.

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 Eastern Colorado HCS Denver 13611 E. Colfax Ave Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: Rodney Riggleman
• Phone: (801) 584-5685
• Email: [email protected]