The Washington DC VA Medical Center Sterile Processing Department supports direct patient care by ensuring proper reprocessing, maintenance, and storage of critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME) throughout the medical center in compliance with nation and local policy and procedure.

Duties

Major Duties: Identifies needs of Surgical Supplies and Reusable Medical Equipment to prepare Surgical Case Carts. All items placed in a cart must be examined for package integrity per VA and AAMI guidelines. Utilizes knowledge of Censitrac tracking system the incumbent: 1)Provides training to staff on the use of Censitrac. 2)Troubleshoots minor IT Issues. 3)Enters/updates surgical set lists in Censitrac to include Item Name, Manufacturer, and quantity. 4) Ensures surgical instruments, trays, and containers have required Censitrac Markings Works with OR Staff, RME Coordinator, and SPS Administrative Officer to ensure needed instruments are ordered and in good repair. Utilizes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required. Responsible for the collection, receipt, inspection, cleaning and decontamination processing of soiled instruments, equipment, and apparatus to include complex diagnostic equipment and medical apparatus. Completely and thoroughly dissembles and positions all parts of complex technical RME to ensure the removal of any debris, surgical soil and bio-burdens prior to sterilization or high level disinfection. Performs required leak tests to endoscopic equipment to determine that the watertight integrity of the scope is intact before initiating the cleaning and high-level disinfection process. Performs multi-step procedures to effectively reprocess endoscopes, i.e. cystoscopes, ureteroscopes, bronchoscopes, colonoscopes, and other various endoscopic instruments. Operates decontamination equipment such as washer decontaminators, ultrasonic washers, automatic endoscope re-rocessors, equipment irrigators, laparoscopic insulation tester, automatic cart wash, and tube dryers, etc. Uses, interprets and records results from quality assurance monitors, i.e. Ruhof ATP Complete ATP tester system, All-Clean washer disinfector validation system, etc. Performs and validates all cleaning of instrumentation and RME through the use of department SOPs, manufacturer's instructions for use guidelines, Medical Center Memorandums, and VA policies and directives, along with industry standards published by organizations such as, Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM), American National Standard/Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (ANSI/AMMI), Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), etc. Reads and understands Material Data Safety Sheets. Performs inspection, assembly, packaging, and terminal sterilization of all trays, sets, and packs for use throughout the medical center. Determines the criticality category of RME using the Spaulding Classification System and interprets sterilization parameters provided by the manufacturer's instructions for use guidelines to determine the proper method of sterilization. Operates equipment such as Minntech Medivator Advantage Plus, Trophon EPR, Steris Steam Sterilizers, Sterrad 100S, Sterrad 200, and Sterrad NX, heat sealers, tube dryers, and incubators or other sterilization, high level decontamination and packaging equipment. Interprets gauge readings and mechanical printouts on sterilization equipment to validate that sterilization of RME is within acceptable parameters. Interprets printout for Automatic Endoscope Processors used for high level decontamination to ensure that disinfection has met all parameters. Maintains records for all sterilization procedures that are processed including interpretation of all biological monitoring, validation of monitoring results, and quality assurance checks to ensure sterilization parameters are met. After each sterilization cycle is complete, the incumbent reviews print outs to ensure parameters have been met and documents the results of each cycle in the sterilization log. If parameters have not been met, incumbent must troubleshoot the sterilization load to determine the possible cause and report findings to the supervisor/lead technician. Troubleshoot complex sterilizers used in the medical center to ensure optimal operation. Performs high level disinfection using Rapicide PA, or equivalent according to manufacturer's instructions for use guidelines. Validate that chemicals are tested and meet requirements to ensure that Minimum Effective Concentration (MEC) for the performance of high-level disinfection. Assembles major and minor complex surgical instrument tray/sets with general and intractably complex instrumentation and instrument packs used for a variety of general and specialized medical and surgical procedures. Work Schedule: Mon- Fri 11 pm - 7:30 am Weekends on call after their Friday shift ends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not 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. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. 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 and 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. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs. Certification. None. Grandfathering Provision. All MSTs that are employed in 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. (2) MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: GS-07 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing). Applicants at the GS-07 grade level must possess: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06): receiving contaminated critical/semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME) and noncritical equipment in the decontamination area; disassembling the RME and determining 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; inspecting, assembling and determining the correct method and packaging for sterilization, such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors; and performing and documenting daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. The Lead MST works in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team. Distributes and prioritizes workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations. Assures an even workflow and distribution of the workload. Revises work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload. Assigns work to staff based on experience and training needs. Monitors and reports on the status of work. Ensures SOPs and SPS mandates are followed during the performance of workflow. Reviews work in progress or spot checks work not requiring review to ensure completed work meets supervisors' instructions on such things as work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines. Assesses the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of technical medical equipment, material and instrumentation. Provides information to management officials concerning performance issues, assignment changes and task completion. Instructs employees on work-related activities, policies, procedures and goals. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) 1. Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. 2. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. 3. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. 4. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures. 5. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments. Assignment. The Lead MST works in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team. Distributes and prioritizes workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations. Assures an even workflow and distribution of the workload. Revises work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload. Assigns work to staff based on experience and training needs. Monitors and reports on the status of work. Ensures SOPs and SPS mandates are followed during the performance of workflow. Reviews work in progress or spot checks work not requiring review to ensure completed work meets supervisors' instructions on such things as work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines. Assesses the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of technical medical equipment, material and instrumentation. Provides information to management officials concerning performance issues, assignment changes and task completion. Instructs employees on work-related activities, policies, procedures and goals. Preferred Experience: 2+ years Sterile Processing experience. CBSPD and or HSPA Certification Highly preferred. References: VHA Directive 1116(2), dated March 2016; VA Handbook 5005/76, Part II, Appendix G47, Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standard, GS-622. Appendix S of VA Handbook 5005 (implementation of Hybrid Title 38 Qualification Standard) and Appendix T of VA Handbook 5005 (Conversations of Title 5 Occupation to Hybrid Title 38). The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Frequently required to lift packages weighing 50 pounds and push carts weighing up to 300 pounds for distances up to 2,640 feet. The incumbent may be exposed to infected and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on Medical Center needs.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Washington VA Medical Center 50 Irving Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20422 US
• Name: Alicia Wiggins
• Phone: 410-605-7000 X53781
• Email: [email protected]