This is a Medical Supply Technician (MST) position for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) of the Eastern Colorado Health Care System- Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center located in Aurora, Colorado.

Duties

This is the full performance level for the occupation. Receives contaminated critical and semi critical reusable medical devices (RMD) in the decontamination area, and may receive non critical equipment as well. Disassembles the RMD and determines the correct cleaning method, such as, but not limited to, ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers/ disinfectors, cart washers and chemical cleaning/ decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer's instructions. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization, such as, but not limited to steam, V-Pro, and high-level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all processes and equipment. Other duties as assigned. Reusable Medical Devices: Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) is any medical device designed by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patients. All personnel who are involved in the reprocessing of RMD's are responsible for knowing what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices or supplies are used (inventory) in their clinical area. All personnel who are involved with the use of RMD must be familiar with which items are reprocessed locally (on unit) and/ or which items are sent to sterile processing for reprocessing and/or sterilization. If items are transported for reprocessing, personnel must be aware of the individual decontamination steps that must be taken prior to transport of item and the appropriate method of transport. All personnel who are involved in reprocessing of RMD are responsible for following the local Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) drafted in accordance with the manufacturers written recommendations. Sterile Processing and Infection Prevention Control should be consulted when clarification of written instructions is needed. No one should be reprocessing any reusable medical devices based upon vendors verbal instructions alone; This is not an adequate practice. All personnel that are in any way involved in reprocessing of RMD must have documented training in the setup, reprocessing and maintenance of specific equipment. Validation of competency will be done according to national policy guidelines. All personnel that have the responsibility of reprocessing RMD can suspend the use of any RMD if they suspect that the device was not properly cleaned, disinfected or sterilized according to the SOP and the manufacturers guidelines. Single use (disposable) medical devices will not be reused or sterilized. All personnel must have an understanding of the importance of RMD and the significant impact on our Veteran population through risk of infectious disease. Work Schedule: Tour of Duty will Vary Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-56360-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. 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. GS-06 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: 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. 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. References: Title 38 or Hybrid Title 38 Occupation official qualification standards of the position as stated in VA Handbook 5003/4, Part II, Appendix G47 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: This 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. talking during the entire day and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as much as 50 pounds). the work requires dexterity and visual and auditory acuity for manipulating, disassembling, and assembling of instrumentation. on a regular and reoccurring 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 from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gases are unknown. Technician may be exposed to fumes from various high-level disinfectants and cleaning chemicals. Technicians are periodically monitored and tested for exposure to certain hazardous chemicals. The employee often works around body fluids, mucus, 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 devices. the work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of pre sterilization 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 Eastern Colorado HCS Denver 13611 E. Colfax Ave Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: Kelli Ann Crumpton
• Phone: 720-369-1396
• Email: [email protected]