PLEASE READ THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO ENSURE YOU SUBMIT ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. This Job Opportunity Announcement will be used to fill a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing), GS-0622-3/4/5/6 position in Sterile Processing Service at the Cheyenne VA Health Care System, Cheyenne, WY.

Duties

GS-03 is Entry Level and GS-04/GS-05 are Developmental Level. All have similar, progressive responsibilities. Decontamination, Manual Cleaning and Sterilization (50%) Receives contaminated instruments from the operating rooms, dental clinics, endoscopy, nursing units, eye clinics, wound care, podiatry and inspects these items for damage and insures that they are in good working condition. Determines correct method for decontamination and cleaning per the manufacturer's instructions. Removes blood, tissue, bone fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by soaking, scrubbing, brushing, rinsing and use of ultrasonic equipment. Disassembles, and inspects for damage reusable medical supplies, instruments, and equipment. Determines correct method for manual cleaning and disinfection. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other gross contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing, and use of ultrasound equipment. Loads and operates washer disinfector, cart washer and sterilizers. Removes items from washer/disinfector and determines type of tray or set to assemble based on recognition of key items and the operating room and clinic schedules. Preparation, Packaging, Sterilization and Storage (50%) Receives Examines items to ensure that gross contamination has been removed. Assembles sets and trays by selecting appropriate tray and arranging instruments in the tray in the correct manner. Selects correct sterilizing medium and cycles and operates sterilizer. Periodically monitors operation of sterilizer with prescribed tests. Disassembles, cleans, lubricates, reassembles and sterilizes dental handpieces and numerous dental specialty instruments and trays. All instruments are processed per manufacturer's guidelines. Properly loads and operates sterilizers such as Steam, and hydrogen peroxide gas plasma. Selects correct sterilization method for items to be sterilized. Monitors performance of sterilizers for quality control by conducting bacteriological tests (bacillus stearothermophilus spores for evaluation of steam and bacillus subtillis for evaluation of hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizers). The bacteria challenge tests are properly recorded. Properly documents load contents on sterilization records. Receives periodic training in such areas as the use and functioning of new medical, dental and surgical instruments, and equipment. This is accomplished by scheduled training sessions that include instructional webinars, lectures, demonstrations, and keeping abreast of new developments and techniques by reading sterilization periodic journals and literature, and maintaining communications with manufacturer representatives. Has regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive data which must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Responsible for: Protecting that data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration or unauthorized deletions Following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release or access codes, etc., as set forth in a computer access agreement which the incumbent signs. Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information per established policies and handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Drives Government vehicle for the sole purpose of transporting contaminated RME from Community Based Outpatient Clinics to SPS on the main campus. This may involve interstate highways and city traffic in excess of 100 miles per day. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52766-A, 52767-A, 52768-A, 52769-A 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.) Experience and/or Education 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. Certification. None. Grandfathering Provision. All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Grade Determinations: GS-03 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04 (Developmental Level) Experience. Six months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting. Or Education. Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. NOTE: 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 experience. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. GS-05 (Developmental Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. or 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In 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 settings. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. GS-06 (Full Performance Level) 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: 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 regards to instrumentation. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/83 PART II APPENDIX G47 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: The employee usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another while performing duties. There is frequent requirement for lifting individual instruments or instrument trays weighing up to 45 pounds from just above the floor to waist level and occasional requirements for similarly lifting baskets weighing up to fifty pounds. The technician transports trays and equipment on carts that may weigh up to 300 pounds when full. Employee must be acutely aware of safety requirements when moving these carts over slight rises such as door sills. Tension and stress are induced by the critical nature of producing work results on a pre-established time frame as well as in emergent situations. The employee must be able to read, write, and organize written material. Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 inches to a Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye 20/20 and 20/40 in the other. Full spectrum of color vision. Bilateral dexterity with the use of both hands. Reaching above shoulders, bending, twisting, stooping, squatting, lifting, pushing, pulling and unencumbered ambulation are required of this position.

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 Cheyenne VA Medical Center 2360 East Pershing Boulevard Cheyenne, WY 82001 US
• Name: Carrie Konowicz
• Phone: 303-202-8633
• Email: [email protected]