The Medical Supply Technician in the VHA receive contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices (RMD) in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment. Disassemble RMD and determines correct cleaning method such as, ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washer-disinfectors, cart washer and chemical cleaning decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects, assembles, and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization.

Duties

The major duties and responsibilities include but is not limited to: Applies the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as required by this position. Maintains current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which documents the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of RME appropriate to this position. Provides sterilization, preparation, supply items and reusable medical equipment decontamination and distribution support for the medical center. 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 manufactures instructions. Inspects, prepares, assembles, and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization to include, but not limited to, steam, Sterrad, Steris, and high-level disinfecting reprocessor. Prepares operating room case carts daily utilizing surgery schedule. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids and other contaminants 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. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization, and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). Completes segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center. Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm or 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Incentive: This occupation is currently approved for a 15% 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. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Education or Experience: Experience: Six months of creditable experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides and understanding of the work. Education: Successful completion of one (1) 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. Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education as described above. English Language Proficiency: Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English. Preferred Experience/Qualifications: Experiencethat demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or education that included health care related courses as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, and operating room/surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position; or equivalent combination of qualifying experience and education. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, candidates must meet the following grade requirements. GS-3 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above. 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: Applicants must have six (6) months experience as a Medical Supply Technician, operating room or surgical technician, or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; OR 2 years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. Assignment. This is a developmental level MST position. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). Completes segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center. Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes. Prepares operating room case carts. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. GS-5 Experience: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to the experience 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 reprocessor; 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-6 Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. In addition, 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 reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47 - Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: The work requires proper body mechanics when standing & walking during the entire workday, and frequent bending and lifting of packages and instrument trays (that occasionally weigh as much as 50 pounds). The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling carts, and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment.

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 Bob Stump VA Medical Center 500 Highway 89 North Prescott, AZ 86313 US
• Name: Queen Dimas
• Phone: 562-826-8000
• Email: [email protected]