This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES. The Hershel "Woody" Williams VA Medical Center Sterile Processing Department supports direct patient care by ensuring proper reprocessing, maintenance, and storage of critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices (RMD) throughout the medical center in compliance with nation and local policy and procedure. The Medical Supply Technician (MST) Quality Assurance for Sterile Processing is responsible for the decontamination, sterilization, and packaging of critical and semi-critical RMD in accordance with manufacturer's written instructions. FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE. Incumbent performs MST activities including any and all the duties included in the functional statement of the MST 3,4,5, and 6 throughout the Medical Center during the assigned tour of duty. May receive guidance from more experienced staff members and may provide guidance to less experienced staff members but requires minimal direct supervision. Major Duties and Responsibilities for the GS-07 MST (Sterile Processing) Quality Assurance include, but are not limited to: Provides Quality Assurance monitoring for the cleaning/decontamination, high level disinfection (HLD), sterilization, reprocessing, and distribution of surgical instruments and technical medical equipment processed in SPS, ensuring that proper procedures are followed and that all items are safe for use, delivered on time at the proper place, and in a condition to be properly used for VA patient care. Reviews and Validates cleaning of instrumentation and RMD 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 Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) [Formerly IAHCSMM], American National Standard/Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (ANSI/AMMI), Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), etc. Reviews completed work to see that supervisor's instructions on work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines have been met as deemed appropriate to assess the quality and quantity of work produced by each employee. Provides information to management officials concerning performance issues, assignment changes, task completion, and competency review. Compiles information, evaluate facts, document findings, and prepares reports. Presents QA report and data to RMD, SPS, and Infection Control Committees. Prepares Joint Patient Safety Reports concerning actual or potential situations that may affect patient safety. Interprets and analyzes results and records from quality assurance monitors, i.e., Ruhof ATP Complete ATP tester system, washer disinfector validation system, etc. Along with the RMD Coordinator, conducts daily debriefing of OR schedule with the OR personnel to discuss any errors and develop plans to assure there are no delays or cancellations of surgeries due to SPS failures. Coordinates with OR Management and SPS Team to make decisions regarding how instruments are packaged, wrapped, terminally sterilized by gas or steam and/or HLD and made ready for redistribution and patient use. Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Must possess the ability to identify and handle extremely delicate, costly, and sophisticated instruments to insure through quality assurance reviews that the proper instruments are included in trays in the right condition. Thorough knowledge of aseptic principles and techniques to maintain quality control, including characteristics of various types of detergents/enzymatic solutions and cleaning brushes, cleaning techniques, sterilizing mediums, sterilizer operation, tests to determine effectiveness of sterilization and packaging, storage and shelf-life characteristics to ensure that RMD is sterilized and stored according to manufacturer specifications for individual RMD, proper handling and rotation of sterile packages, and handling of contaminated items, to insure that verified work conforms to these principles and techniques. Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel software programs in order to complete QA reports and skill to develop, analyze, and evaluate facts relative to unsatisfactory conditions, and to prepare and document reports, findings and recommendations. Incumbent must also have a basic understanding of database applications. All other duties as assigned, pertaining to this occupation, to meet the needs of the Agency, Department, Facility, and/or Service. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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. 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: GS-07 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Quality Assurance Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6)*. *Examples of experience at the next lower grade level includes, but not limited to: 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: 1. Knowledge of fact-finding and investigative techniques in order to evaluate work processes. 2. Ability to analyze data and make recommendations to correct quality control problems. 3. Knowledge of sterile processing operations, infection control procedures, and Joint Commission requirements to assess compliance during quality assurance reviews. 4. Ability to compile information, evaluate facts, document findings and prepare reports. 5. Thorough knowledge of aseptic principles and techniques to maintain quality control. 6. Ability to effectively communicate with technical and professional staff on the proper use of delicate instruments and equipment, and resolve problems that may occur. Assignment. The Quality Assurance (QA) Technician serves as the monitoring specialist for all activities of SPS, which includes the operating room case cart management system. Monitors the process of cleaning/decontamination, sterilization, reprocessing, and distribution of critical, semi-critical and non-critical RME. This includes following the use of bacteriological controls, principles and methods of sterilization, packaging, and assembly of simple to more complex items for therapeutic and surgical procedures. Develops procedures to evaluate the quality of work performance and outcomes as it relates to the quality assurance program. Maintains a system of internal and external reviews ensuring overall compliance of all critical, semi-critical and non-critical RME used within the medical center. Tracks and analyzes required documentation pertaining to critical, semi-critical and non-critical RME within the scope of SPS for quality control purposes. Utilizes qualitative analysis tools to prepare reports for trending, evaluate operations and facilitate improvements in workflow and quality processes. Troubleshoots computer programs related to SPS operations and trains staff on the inputting of data associated with the cleaning and sterilization of equipment, biological processing, and quality assurance programs. Collaborates with SPS management when deviations occur. Validates SPS policies on cleaning and sterilization as it relates to manufacturer information for use, standards and mandates. Updates the quality assurance program annually or when manufacturer information and guidelines are changed. Deviations a. The appointing official may, under unusual circumstances, approve reasonable deviations to the grade determination requirements for Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) in VHA whose composite record of accomplishments, performance, and qualifications, as well as current assignments warrant such action based on demonstrated competence to meet the requirements of the proposed grade. b. The placement of individuals in grade levels not described in this standard must be approved by the Under Secretary for Health, or designee in THA Central Office. Preferred Experience: 2 years procedural or sterile processing experience References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-47 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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. AGE, DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL NEEDS OF PATIENTS. Provides care and/or services appropriate to the age of the patients being served, and which is appropriate to the cognitive; emotional, and chronological maturation of the patient. Assesses data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age- specific needs and to provide care needed as described in the services' policies and procedures. Takes into consideration age-related differences of the various veteran populations with this institution. The incumbent must demonstrate the knowledge of the changes associated with aging and possess the ability to provide care/support based upon age related factors. Ensures staff receives training in these categories.

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/.

ON-GOING EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND COMPETENCY VALIDATION
Completes training in the setup, reprocessing and maintenance of specific equipment. Initial validation of competency will be done, and minimally, on an annual basis. Staff must participate in on-going education and training to maintain proficiency. SPS employees who are certified by a national organization must obtain annual CEU as set forth by their certifying body. All other SPS employees must obtain a minimum of 12 educational hours annually. The supervisor/ advanced technician/ QA or others validated to perform competency evaluates completed work for the overall technical soundness and conformance to agency policies through competency assessments utilizing direct observation, returned demonstration, rounds, document review, continuing education/in-service, test/quiz, verbalization, employee feedback and simulation. Two validation methods will be used to assess competency.

CONTINUED ACCREDITATION READINESS
Responsible for ensuring his/her actions contribute to a mode of continued accreditation readiness regarding Joint Commission (TJC), Office of Inspector General (OIG), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), VA surveyors, Laboratory College of American Pathologists (CAP), and other survey teams. Can articulate standards of care and practice, policies and procedures/SOPs; documentation is complete and timely; has situational awareness of safety and other environment of care issues; initiates corrective actions; maintains safety and infection control standards; strictly protects verbal, written, and electronic patient personal and health information; maintains a professional, healthcare business environment; participates in and can articulate performance improvement data and how it impacts patient care. Applies and interprets Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) [Formerly IAHCSMM], American National Standard/Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (ANSI/AMMI), Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), etc., standards.

Contacts

• Address Huntington VA Medical Center 1540 Spring Valley Drive Huntington, WV 25704 US
• Name: Jennifer Darling
• Phone: 423-741-7328
• Email: [email protected]