The Medical Supply Technician (MST) is responsible for the decontamination and processing of all Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) at VHSO. The primary purpose of this position is to perform independently the full range of duties required to decontaminate, clean, sterilize, process, prepare, store, and distribute medical supplies and equipment used in the hospital.

Duties

If you are a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply using announcement: CBST-12154808-23-AB The duties of the Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) in the Sterile Processing Service include, but are not limited to: Sterile Storage and Distribution Inventories, replenishes shortages from sterile supply, inspects for sterility integrity for instrument sets and expendable items. Adheres to facility regulations regarding application and removal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Rotates, restocks outdated supplies, and maintains stock levels of surgical supplies and equipment for wards, clinics, and the operating room. Initiates requests for items based on the daily schedule of needs or individual requisitions. Performs daily housekeeping duties to ensure environment of care is maintained. Prepares individual surgical case carts with required instruments and surgical supplies for each scheduled and emergency operative procedure. Operates automation equipment to prepare, store, retrieve or process information. Trains new and/or lower graded employees at the request of supervision. Decontamination Receives a full range of reusable medical supplies, instruments and equipment from hospital wards, clinics and operating rooms. Adheres to facility regulations regarding application and removal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Decontaminates reusable items by determining the appropriate method for removing gross contamination by means of manual cleaning procedures. Disassembles, decontaminates, and reassembles items as required. Operates automated reprocessing equipment such as the ultrasonic cleaner and washer/disinfectors in accordance with the device Instructions for Use (IFU). Conducts High-Level Disinfection (HLD) procedures by means of manual and automated processes while following the device(s) IFU's. Examines items and instruments for damage, deterioration or imperfection. Performs first echelon maintenance and/or troubleshoots medical equipment. Maintains accurate written records of quality and preventative maintenance of such equipment. Assembly and Sterilization Follows all device specific Instructions for Use (IFU) and set forth Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when conducting assembly and sterilization procedures. Adheres to facility regulations regarding application and removal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Assembles a wide variety of instrument trays and sets used for medical procedures including the operating room. Checks for damaged or missing items and arranges for replacements, maintenance, or repair as needed. Processes, assembles, and performs all phases of sterilization 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). Performs 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 interprets biological challenges processed for each sterilization cycle. Accepts accountability for the transport, tracking, and return of items at storage locations. Researches and applies the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Federal Drug Administration (FDA) standards as they pertain to sterile processing and the distribution of medical supplies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 12:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., with rotating on call Functional Statement #: 564-00044-F, 564-00045-F, 564-00046-F, 564-00047-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This occupation is currently approved for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive through 9/21/2024. Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI for a pro-rated amount if onboard prior to the CSI expiration date. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI.

Requirements

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. 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. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or (2) 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 surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position; or (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Certification. None. Grade Determinations: Medical Supply Technician, GS-03 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Medical Supply Technician, 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 includes 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: 1. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. 2. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets. 3. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.- Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. Medical Supply Technician, 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 clinical settings. 2. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility. 3. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Medical Supply Technician, 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. Preferred Experience: Six months experience of Sterile Processing, Instrument Reprocessing, Decontamination Preparation and packing, and Sterilization. One year of Microsoft Office including Teams, Outlook, Excel, Word, OneNote. One year with Medical Supply Inventory/Logistics, preferred certification in IAHCSMM. References: A Handbook 5005/76, Part II Appendix G47, Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), straight pulling, pushing, both hands required, walking, standing, repeated bending, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, specific vision requirement (20/50 one, 20/100+ other, glasses permitted), mental and emotional stability, ability to read printed material without strain, ability to wear safety shoes. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services).

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 Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US
• Name: April Bookout
• Phone: 315-800-7297
• Email: [email protected]