This is an Advanced Level Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Medical Supply Technician (MST) position. The position is located in the SPS Section under the Associate Director for Patient Care Service. This position level MST is a member of the nursing care team and is responsible for the support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team and staff.

Duties

Major Duties are, but not limited too: Coordination of Loaner Trays through all areas of SPS Communication with Operating Room and SPS Leadership regarding status of needed Loaner Trays. Assisting with the reprocessing of Loaner Trays through the steps of check in, cleaning, decontamination and sterilization. Assists with stocking of needed SPS supplies. Attends and Participates in educational offerings for department. Reports any customer concerns or issues back to SPS Supervisor Serves as a senior expert in inventories, replenishes shortages from sterile supply, inspects for sterility integrity for instrument sets and expendable items. Adheres to and reports any non-compliance towards facility regulations regarding application and removal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Follows up to ensure RME rotates at the appropriate intervals, communicates needs for restocking outdated supplies, and maintains stock levels of surgical supplies and equipment for wards, clinics, and the operating room. Coordinates the assignments given by the supervisor to receive a full range of reusable medical supplies, instruments and equipment from hospital wards, clinics and operating rooms. Adheres to and reports any non-compliance facility regulations regarding application and removal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Ensures staff decontaminates reusable items by determining the appropriate method for removing gross contamination by means of manual cleaning procedures. Ensures that staff follow all device specific Instructions for Use (IFU) and set forth Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while conducting assembly and sterilization procedures. Conducts rounds to review staff adheres to facility regulations regarding application and removal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Validates skill level of staff to ensure the efficient assembly of a wide variety of instrument trays and sets used for medical procedures including the operating room. Ensures quality checks for damaged or missing items of all instrument sets and arranges for replacements, maintenance, or repair as needed. Coordinates the workflow for assembly to include prioritization from a variety of sterilization phases for intricate surgical trays and microsurgery instruments for the operating room (trays contain large numbers of unique, non-interchangeable, specialized surgical instruments of similar appearance, with minor variations in size, conformation, and nomenclature, but with major variation in application). Ensures that daily spore testing and sterilizer control measures as it relates to quality assurance principles of sterilization and elimination of cross contamination and determines whether items are free of microorganisms. Monitors and reports biological testing for each sterilization cycle. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. 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. 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 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Coordinator 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. Practical knowledge of conventional fact-finding or investigative techniques in order to evaluate internal work processes. 2. Skill to develop, analyze and evaluate facts relative to unsatisfactory conditions or trends. 3. Knowledge of and skill in applying various methods and techniques for investigating, analyzing and recommending corrective action on complex quality problems. 4. Knowledge of the SPS policies and procedural manuals, infection control procedures, and accrediting agencies and quality assurance guidelines to assure appropriateness of work during quality assurance reviews. 5. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and other software programs. 6. Thorough knowledge of aseptic principles and techniques, which include sterilized operations, sterilizer mediums, and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life. 7. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. Preferred Experience: Knowledge of Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) used in clinic setting and nursing wards. Understanding of cleaning, disinfection and sterilization Knowledge of Universal Precautions and infection control principles Understanding of medical terminology. Mastery of computer systems such as Censitrac, Word, Excel References: VA Handbook 5005/76 Part II Appendix G47, May 28, 2014 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the position include work assignments with long periods of standing, walking, pushing, lifting, bending, stretching. This position requires the ability to lift 50lbs . The incumbent may at times be required to climb up and down a step stool in the work area. Work days may be extended without notice by emergency RME requests from operating room, clinics or nursing wards

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 VA Maryland Health Care System 10 North Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21201 US
• Name: Colin Brown
• Phone: (410) 642-2411
• Email: [email protected]