Serves as a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) in the Sterile Processing Services (SPS) Section at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center (MGVAMC) in Spokane, Washington.

Duties

Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-6 full performance level of this position, the incumbent is a member of the SPS team that performs a wide area of duties, including various cleaning, decontamination, assembly, sterilization and distribution processes associated with medical, surgical, and Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) throughout all services at MGVAMC. Duties will include: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and receives noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. 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. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high-level disinfecting scope re-processors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Rotates among the assigned duties in the Decontamination, Preparation, High Level Disinfection (HLD), Sterilization, and Sterile/Clean Storage Areas. Adheres to quality control procedures throughout the decontamination and sterile preparation/processing areas. Processes and inventories medical devices and assumes continuous training in support of the reprocessing of RME in support of numerous services and activities throughout MGVAMC including, but not limited to: Dental, Dermatology, Endoscopy, Optometry, Podiatry, Respiratory Care, Urology, Urgent Care Clinic, and Women's Health. Maintains a working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. Maintains knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination, as well as knowledge of sterility principles in-regards to instrumentation. Maintains knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Responsible for the collection and receipt of all used, soiled reusable critical and semi-critical RME, utilizing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and infection control procedures to prevent cross-contamination of other equipment and personnel during the collection and transport of the soiled RME. Responsible for the proper disassembly of technical medical instrumentation and equipment, where internal parts may become contaminated, which requires dexterity, skill, careful positioning of parts, and the elimination of any bioburden. Responsible for thorough inspection for cleanliness, damage, deterioration, or imperfections such as rust, pitting and cracks that could affect the quality of patient care. Responsible for ensuring that the items function properly and must be knowledgeable of the purpose and proper usage of medical instrumentation. Responsible for the systematic manual and automated cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of instrumentation and equipment according to strict Manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFU). Responsible for the manual cleaning, high-level disinfection and/or sterilization of endoscopes, to include both upper and lower GI endoscopes, Cysto-Uretero Fiberscopes , video intubation scopes, transesophageal transducers and various ultrasound probes classified as semi-critical reusable medical equipment. Independently responsible for the proper operation of a variety of automated cleaning and disinfection equipment, to include washer/disinfector, ultrasonic machines, automated endoscope re-processors, sterilizers, and electrical conductivity testing devices. Responsible for ensuring that quality assurance testing of the effectiveness of the equipment operation is completed and documented to include bioburden testing, minimum effective concentration (MEC) testing, cavitation effectiveness testing, and washer/disinfector effectiveness testing. Changes and resets timers and selects different parameter requirements on decontamination cycles. Identifies and properly disposes of single-use devices (SUDs). Conforms to and ensures that all safety and infection control rules, regulations and requirements (e.g., dress code and traffic control procedures) in both the decontamination and preparation areas are followed by all personnel working in, or entering, the work area. Independently operates a variety of high- and low-temperature sterilization equipment, to include steam, and hydrogen peroxide plasma. Responsible for ensuring that quality assurance testing of the effectiveness of the equipment operation is completed and documented to include mechanical, chemical and biological monitoring. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 9:30AM-6:00PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. 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. 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-3. Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment: This is an entry level MST position. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. GS-4. 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. 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. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. GS-5. 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. 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-6. Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: heavy lifting and carrying (up to 45 lbs), straight pulling (8 hours), pulling hand over hand (8 hours), pushing (8 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking and standing (8 hours), repeated bending (8 hours), both legs required), both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), outside and inside, excessive, intermittent noise, constant noise, slipper or uneven walking surfaces, working around machinery with moving parts, working around moving objects or vehicles, working with hands in water, working closely with others, working alone, working with hazardous chemicals, use of air hose and water guns.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript with 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 Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4815 North Assembly Street Spokane, WA 99205 US
• Name: Michelle Yahne
• Phone: 503-220-8262 X53055
• Email: [email protected]