This position is in the Sterile Processing Services (SPS) program under Patient Care Services at the Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center. SPS consists of multiple areas, the incumbent of this position will be supporting the decontamination, preparation and distribution of the hospital's critical and semi-critical reusable (RME) medical equipment.

Duties

In this position, the employee will provide decontamination, preparation, sterilization, and distribution support of critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment for the medical center. The term reusable medical equipment as used in this functional statement refers to reusable items for patient care including basic instrumentation, equipment, instrument trays/sets, and various other items that could be processed or assembled through the decontamination and preparation areas of the Sterile Processing Service. The Medical Supply Technician (MST) will have knowledge of the processes for reusable medical equipment (RME) as required by this position. The MST will be required to learn, and maintain current knowledge of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, preparation, and sterilization of RME appropriate to this position. The MST will demonstrate their ability to follow the directions of a written procedure in the processing of RME appropriate to this position. Complete training coursework and VA SPS certification as required for a MST position in the VA. Maintain certification by completing approved, annual Continuing Education Units (CEU) and annual in-service hours. The Supervisor, Assistant Chief, and/or Service Chief will assign work with standing instructions on objectives, priorities, and deadlines, and provide guidance for unusually involved situations. The MST will work directly with a MST Trainer or preceptor at all times. The employee will work as team member with other Medical Supply Technicians of varying experience to carry out the daily work utilizing written standard operating procedures and/or manufactures written instructions; in accordance with instructions, policies, procedures, directives, memoranda, previous training, or accepted/standard practices. Work Schedule: Shifts are (Mon.-Fri.) 6am-4:30pm (4,10 hour days) Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; or (2) 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. Certification. None. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 (also see below) English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Preferred additional skills and certifications. 1. Instructions from a formal Sterile Processing course with a minimum of 400 hours of hands on experience. 2. Certification from International Association Healthcare Central Service Materials Management IAHCSMM or equivalent. 3. Basic Knowledge of Flexible Endoscopy GRADE REQUIREMENTS Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current MST Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with MST responsibilities. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as a MST. (2) Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MST experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates 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: 1. Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. 2. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility. 3. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing. Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Prepares, loads, and operates sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope re-processor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments. 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: 1. Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. 2. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. 3. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. 4. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation. 5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Assignment. This is the full performance level for the occupation. Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive 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. References: July 8, 2015 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: You must be able to meet the physical demands of the position. While performing duties of this job the Medical Supply Technician is frequently required to stand, walk, and bend and reach. Must be able to lift and/or move over 50 pounds. Must have good manual dexterity and keyboarding skills. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens. Must be able to work under noisy conditions do to reprocessing machines.

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 Erie VA Medical Center 135 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16504 US
• Name: Krystal Jancze
• Phone: (412) 822-2222
• Email: [email protected]