The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), VA Medical Center, in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS), Hampton, VA. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). Medical Supply Technicians (MSTs) receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision.

Duties

Duties: Responsible for sterile preparation which is accomplished through inspection, assembly, packaging, and terminal sterilization of all trays, sets, and packs for use throughout the facility. Assemblies range from simple sets of four or five instruments to very complex sets of up to ninety instruments such as Total joint sets, femoral vascular, radical nephrectomy, abdominal vascular, chest sets, thoracic, orthopedic implant sets, carotid vascular, general surgery sets, etc. Assembles delicate micro-surgical sets such as micro-surgical ear set. ENT plastic set for procedures requiring plastic surgery, micro-surgical eye instruments, and other surgical specialties. Assembles and selects the correct sterilizing method for a variety of costly and delicate equipment such as flexible resectoscopes and other flexible and rigid endoscopes. Tests instruments for functionality and assembles instruments in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines. Selects appropriate methods for sterilizing, balancing time constraints with possible detrimental effects of quicker methods. Independently prepares the full range of trays and sets necessary to be used in the wards, clinic areas, dental clinic and surgery. Considers surgery schedules and Clinic schedules along with considering time factors for processing order to determine how many items to stock based on the turnaround time for processing, preparation and frequency of use. Effectively processes and sterilizes a wide variety of implant devices in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations, and ensure that they are held for the required time post sterilization per regulations. Responsible for the collection and receipt of all used soiled supplies, instruments, or equipment. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing and use of ultrasonic equipment. Assumes leadership responsibilities to perform peer training as well as provide user training and instruction pertaining to correct operating and preventative maintenance procedures of medical equipment. Identifies trends, recommends solutions, and implements quality improvement initiatives and program related activities related to program effectiveness. Regularly tests operations and cleaning of equipment for effectiveness of sterilization. The incumbent monitors performance of sterilizers for quality control by conducting bacteriological tests. Conforms to and ensures that all safety and infection control rules, regulations and requirements in the decontamination and preparation areas are followed by all personnel working in, or entering, the work area. Utilize knowledge and experience to react to requests for emergent and/or urgent RME supply needs ensuring positive outcomes. Utilize knowledge of equipment, its use, and specific procedures to respond to inquiries about the equipment and potential equipment substitutions. Utilize computers to perform record keeping, tracking operations. Processes emergent requests, prepares tray lists, and updates files as required. Conducts inventory of all sterilized trays checking package integrity and expiration dates. Work Schedule: Rotating 2pm to 10:30pm and 12pm to 8:30pm Monday through Friday. Pull Call weekly on a rotating basis, during non-duty hours; Monday through Friday, Saturday, Sundays, and Holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 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. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. And, In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. Preferred Experience: Certification in Sterile Processing 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: Must have one full year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Your resume should contain experience with removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing. Inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Preparing, loading, and operating sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/76 PART II APPENDIX G47 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 06. Physical Demands: The employee usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another while performing duties. There is frequent requirement for lifting supply tote bins, baskets or instruments sets weighing up to 50 pounds from the floor to chest level. The incumbent regularly pushes loaded instrument carts weighing as much as several hundred pounds. Tension and stress are induced by the critical nature of producing work results on a preestablished time frame as well as in emergent situations. Work Environment: On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. In both, the employee wears special clothing (PPE), gloves, hair covers, beard covers, shoe covers, and a gown, which can be uncomfortably warm. These can often be uncomfortably warm since the work areas are warm and humid. The employee must use padded gloves to remove carts from sterilizers and trays from the carts. The employee is also subject to bums and cuts from both clean and contaminated instruments. The employee is also subject to dermatitis from frequent contact with cleaning agents. The employee often works around body fluids, mucus excretions, and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts, and the operation of the sterilizers.

Education

There is no education substitution for this grade.

Contacts

• Address Hampton VA Medical Center 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton, VA 23667 US
• Name: Michael Schultz
• Phone: 804-274-9694
• Email: [email protected]