The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is looking for a vibrant individual to work as a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing). The position demands a complete conceptual and practical working knowledge of all SPS functions. The employee in this position serves as a monitoring specialist for al Quality Assurance (QA) activities of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) across all clinics and CBOCS.

Duties

Duties: Manages the Cincinnati VAMC and will include management of all high-level disinfection conducted outside the SPS and the outlying VA Outpatient Clinics and CBOCS. Monitors work performed in all work areas of the Surgery Support Section of SPS, which includes Decontamination Processing, Instrument Preparation, Operation Room Core Area, Distribution, and case care operations, as they relate to support of the OR and Outpatient Clinics. Quality Assurance Monitoring Conducts Quality Assurance monitoring on all activities performed in SPS, to include, simple and complex instrument cleaning, endoscope reprocessing, surgical instrument tray preparation, sterilization monitoring, case cart assembly, mechanical equipment efficacy testing, and staff training and competency documentation. Performs routine inspection of areas across Cincinnati Clinics and CBOCs that reprocess reusable medical equipment to ensure proper procedures are followed for safe use, cleaning and disinfection/sterilization. Maintains documentation of all QA activities and reports to the Chief, SPS and the Assistant Chief SPS recommended improvement opportunities. Ensures all SOP/Competency documents are up to date and accurately reflect the manufacturers IFU's. Maintains tracking system of all SOP/Competencies completed per employee and ensures staff successfully completes competency assessment prior to reprocessing RME. Accompanies the Nurse Educator, provides SPS supervisor's with applicable data on employee competency due dates and provides training materials for successful completion of training. Monitors cleaning and sterilization equipment operation and ensure efficacy testing is conduced to ensure proper operation. Inspects and maintains biological testing data for all sterilizers and High-Level Disinfection activities. Consolidates and reports all QA data SPS RME oversight committee and infection control committee on a monthly basis. Reusable Medical Equipment This position requires the employee to utilize Reusable Medical Equipment. The memorandum concerning Reusable Medical Equipment must be read and understood by the employee and the immediate supervisor. Participates in completion of VA mandated RME inspections and compiles data for tracking and trending purposes. Compiles inspection reports and coordinates correction of deficiencies with the appropriate Service Chief, Clinic Manager, or other responsible party. Staff Competency Manages records for all SPS staff competencies for inspection and verification purposes. Works with the Nurse Educator to ensure staff are trained and successfully complete applicable SOP/competency assessments prior to reprocessing RME. Tracks competency completion and training expiration dates to ensure continual readiness of staff for RME reprocessing. Maintains annual SPS in-service training schedules. Ensures staff complete mandatory VA/IAHCSMM annual CEU requirements and submit data to the Chief and Assistant Chief, SPS for submission to VACO. Maintains records of Staff certifications and schedules SPS related seminars. Ensures SOP/Competencies are available in all areas where reprocessing occurs for staff reference. Maintains updated/applicable manufacturers instruction for cleaning and disinfection are maintained and available for staff reference in all areas where reprocessing occurs. Employee is responsible for providing training to the SPS Medical Supply Technicians. He/she oversees a weekly training and certification program. Employee will also provide other facility personnel with orientation and awareness training regarding the SPS mission, the variety of supplies, services and equipment provided as well as the internal policies and procedures associated with acquiring them. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS The employee is organizationally aligned under SPS Service and reports to the Assistant Chief, SPS or the Chief, SPS. Work is technical and complex and generally independent of direct instruction and supervision. Decisions are made by applying established methods or techniques; by drawing on knowledge of appropriate precedents; or by obtaining guidance and instructions from the Assistant Chief, SPS. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm, No Weekends or Holiday. Compressed/Flexible: Not approved. Telework: Yes, once a week Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91283-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizen of the United States: (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.) 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. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, of this part. Grade Determinations: GS-07 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Quality Assurance (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS6. (b) 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. (c) 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. Preferred Experience: Experience is sterile processing, preventative maintenance for instrumentation, water management, medical terminology, computer and software skills including maintaining reports and utilizing Office, CensiTrac Tracking Software, effective collaboration or communication with internal and external customers. References: VA Handbook 5005/83, Part II, Appendix G47. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS7. Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments though out 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 employee usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another in performance of assigned duties and is also required to travel throughout the medical center observing the processes in placed in different services. Incumbent will be required to lift 50 pounds with repeated bending and twisting. The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.

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 Cincinnati VA Medical Center 3200 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220 US
• Name: Michelle GradyCagle
• Phone: 513-557-8818
• Email: [email protected]