The Lead Medical Supply Technician (MST) functions as a member of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) department and provides support for all matters of concert relating to procedures for the decontamination, high-level disinfection (JLD) and/or sterilization and semi critical reusable medical instruments and equipment storage of items reprocessed.

Duties

In this role the Lead Medical Supply Technician (MST) fully functions as a member of SPS department and assists other members of the SPS department. The MST in this role can function within the departmental leadership to a team of Medical Supply Technicians performing work at the GS-07 level or below by providing guidance and technician direction for accomplishing the work of the unit or team. The Lead MST will ensure work assignments of employees in the unit or team are carried out by distributing and balancing the workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established processes, job specialization, and/or capabilities of the MST. Reports to the supervisor on performance, progress and training needs of employees. Refers questions or matters not covered by standards and problems in meeting performance standards to the supervisory staff. Assigned tasks typically involve more complex tasks within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements at this level and assume more of a peer and mentorship role. Work Schedule: Rotating or fixed weekday, weekend, and holiday shifts consisting of 6:30 AM-2:30PM, 8:00AM-4:30PM, 3:30-Midnight, or 10:00PM-6:30AM shifts. After hours call is currently voluntary with the potential to become mandatory. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)/PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not 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. 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 (A transcript must be submitted with your application). Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. (A transcript must be submitted with your application). English Language: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-06. Examples of experience includes: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (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. Endoscope experience Required. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments. Preferred Experience: SPS certification from either International Association of Healthcare Service Material Management (IAHCSMM) or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) References: VA Handbook 5005/83, Part II, Appendix G47, Medical Supply Technician Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. 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. 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 from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around chemicals for reprocessing RME. 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 areas are noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of 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 James H Quillen VA Medical Center Corner of Lamont Street and Veterans Way Mountain Home, TN 37684 US
• Name: Mark Scanlon
• Phone: 913-680-7785
• Email: [email protected]