The incumbent is a subject matter expert in a wide variety of duties, including the manual and automated cleaning, decontamination, high-level-disinfection, and sterilization processes associated with critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME). The primary responsibility of the incumbent is to conduct initial and reoccurring training through completion of competency assessment on SPS staff members.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following: Training Provides initial orientation and serves as a mentor to newly hired SPS MSTs. Helps conducts training episodes with the Educator on departmental SOPs and completes associated competency assessments on newly hired SPS MSTs within the targeted orientation timeframe. Maintains completed orientation and competency records of newly hired SPS MSTs. Assist the Educator maintain a training plan for established SPS MSTs to ensure that competency assessments are renewed in accordance with frequency identified within the SPS risk assessment. Assist the Educator in conducting training episodes on departmental SOPs and completes associated competency assessments on established employees. In conjunction with the Educator, helps maintain completed competency assessment records on established employees. Education Assigns and maintains records for SPS Level 1 TMS training module completion of newly hired MSTs. Develops, monitors, and revises the annual SPS continuing education program for transportation, manual & automated cleaning, decontamination, high-level-disinfection, preparation/assembly, sterilization, distribution, and storage of RME. Conducts and maintains records of annual continuing education for newly hired and established SPS MSTs. Develops and provides education to SPS staff to fully comply with provisions of VHA directives, safety regulations, and infection control procedures/principles. Coordinates with SPS management in the scheduling vendor in-services. Coordinates with SPS management in researching and scheduling SPS staff to attend internal/external education conferences that promote professional development. Secondary Duties Collaborates with RME coordinator on reviewing and revising existing SOPs/competency assessments. Collaborates with RME coordinator and SPS management regarding the need for providing training and/or education to end-users. Evaluates the employee compliance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). This includes posting and maintaining current documents of SOP, Competencies, and Information for Use (IFU) documents on a regular basis. Participates and assists in external and internal surveys/inspections of the SPS department. Collaborates with SPS management on the development of corrective actions identified surveys/inspections that related to training and education. Work Schedule: Tours vary as needed by the unit including off shifts, weekends and holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 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 (A transcript must be submitted with your application). Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. (A transcript must be submitted with your application). English Language: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. 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). .Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Grade Determinations GS-07: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Required Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-06. Examples of experience includes: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (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 reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Endoscope experience Required. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 1. Knowledge of SPS and Infection Prevention regulations 2. Knowledge of procedures and/or operations in training developed for, and operations of SPS functions for both new and existing staff 3. Ability to merge integrated training programs as it relates to sterile processing procedures. 4. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel or other software programs in order to complete reports and develop skills 5. Ability to communicate effectively with staff and management officials in regards to sterile processing procedures. References: VA Handbook 5005/83, Part II, Appendix G47, Medical Supply Technician Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: The incumbent usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another while performing duties. Is frequently required to lift packages weighing 50 pounds, and regularly pushes carts weighing up to 300 pounds for distances up to 2640 feet Work Environment: Routinely alternates between a contaminated and a carefully clean environment. Is required to wear protective clothing and will be subjected to loud noises from machinery and offensive smells. If in the decontamination area where processing of contaminated equipment is done, the employee must wear scrub suits, face shields, a hair cover, gloves, gown, impervious shoe covers, and an impervious gown. The work area may be hot and humid. Unpleasant odors are frequently encountered during the processing of items. Has the possibly to be exposed to hazardous medical waste. The work area can be quite noisy due to the clatter of metal upon metal when working with instruments and trays, the rumbling of carts and the operation of sterilizing equipment, ultrasonic cleaners, and automatic transport systems. The incumbent must carefully monitor the work area to minimize potential exposure to Cidex OPA, Hydrogen Peroxide, and other hazardous materials, ensuring compliance with OSHA, VA, and local policies and regulations. The above conditions place additional demands on the employee due to the stressful condition of being exposed to gases and hazardous medical waste, and the uncertainty of the long-range effects

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 Lexington VA Health Care System 2250 Leestown Road Lexington, KY 40511 US
• Name: Mark Scanlon
• Phone: 913-680-7785
• Email: [email protected]