PLEASE READ THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO ENSURE YOU SUBMIT ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. This Job Opportunity Announcement will be used to fill an Advanced Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing), GS-0622-7 position in Sterile Processing Service at the Cheyenne VA Health Care System, Cheyenne, WY.

Duties

The MST (Advanced) is assigned to collect and transport Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) from more than 30 locations throughout the facility up to three (3) times a day. Following Manufacturer's Instructions for Use (IFUs), these items are sorted, cleaned, decontaminated, or disinfected in the Decontamination section of SPS. Items requiring additional processing, packaging and sterilization are sent to the Preparation and Packaging section of SPS where they are inspected for cleanliness, functionality, and quality. Following IFUs, these items are then assembled, packaged, and sterilized accordingly. After sterilization items are returned to the appropriate end user areas and stored/monitored. Removes gross contamination by soaking in appropriate detergent solutions, washing with a detergent blood solvent, scrubbing with a brush, rinsing in tap, and then distilled water or washing in an ultrasonic unit and/or washer-sterilizer. MST (advanced) decontaminates all reusable supplies and equipment in a manner rendering all decontaminated items safe for handling. MST (Advanced) determines proper methods and processes to follow per SOPs and manufacturer's instructions for use to decontaminate instruments and equipment. When required, properly disassembles surgical instruments avoiding damage or unnecessary wear. Uses seasoned judgement to ensure minimum potential for damage to equipment. Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Assembles sets and trays by selecting appropriate tray, lining it with a lint free cloth/towel, and arranging instruments in the tray in the correct manner. Strives for a logically arranged package that will permit effective penetration of the sterilizing medium and ease of use by end user. Visually examines items for damage, deterioration, or imperfections such as rust, pitting and cracks. Examines all types of reusable supplies and equipment. Selects correct wrapping for the tray and wraps and labels trays. Sterilizers items referencing SOPs, special parameters list and or V-Pro authorized list to determine that correct parameters (e.g. time, temperature, and pressure) were obtained. Distributes items according to established requirements, special requests or as requisitioned. Fills requests for items based on daily schedules of needs or on individual requisitions. Consults with operating room (OR) staff and clinic customers on items in short supply or out of stock, recommending possible solutions. Rotates stock in accordance with the First in, First out (FIFO) system. Uses highly reliable processes when reprocessing delicate eye instrumentation and when cleaning and leak-testing endoscopes; both highly complex processes involving extensive training and expertise. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56346-O 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.) 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 Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Certification. None. Grandfathering Provision. All MSTs that are employed in the VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-07 (Advanced Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level which includes: Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/76 PART II APPENDIX G47 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: The work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly, and assembly of instrumentation. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The employee wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warm. The employee uses insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers. The employee is subject to burns form accidentally touching hot items. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or reusable medical equipment. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of 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 Cheyenne VA Medical Center 2360 East Pershing Boulevard Cheyenne, WY 82001 US
• Name: Carrie Konowicz
• Phone: 303-202-8633
• Email: [email protected]