This is a developmental level position in Sterile Processing Service. The Medical Supply Technician will be responsible for the decontamination, sterilization of instruments used during surgery, proper assembly, care, distribution, and storage of these reusable medical instruments (RME) utilized in Sterile Processing Service (SPS), the clinics, units, Operating Room, and the Emergency Department.

Duties

This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-06. At the lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-06. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. The major duties and responsibilities include: Receiving and cleaning critical and semi-critical patient care items; Marking cleaned equipment and preparing for return delivery to the unit where utilized; Receiving contaminated trays from the Operating Room (OR) and disassembling equipment and instrumentation for decontamination; Inspecting and counting all instrumentation and reviewing reprocessing criteria for effective sterilization and processing; Removing gross contamination by soaking in a germicide, washing with a detergent-blood solvent, scrubbing, rinsing, and washing in a washer or ultrasonic; Packaging individual items or assembles items into sets for Operating Room trays in the correct manner; Assembling cleaned instruments into peel packs and preparing for processing; Assembling operating room trays with specific numbers and types of RME to be utilized for specific surgical cases; Choosing correct tray and wrapping method of tray to provide for adequate sterilization; Handling sterilized items appropriately and applying plastic dust covers; Storing items in accordance with temperature and humidity standards; Assembling and loading ward carts according to schedules; Distributing equipment to either the specific ward or to a holding area where equipment is read when requested; Checking stock for outdates and proper rotation; And Performing all other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 2:00pm-10:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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 Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or Education. Four academic years above high school leading to a Bachelor's degree with at least 12 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. 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Grade Determinations GS-03: None beyond the basic requirements. Grade Determinations GS-04: (a) Experience. Must have completed six (6) months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting. OR (b) Education. Successful completion of two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. Experience at this level includes, but is not limited to: performing segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization, and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME); completing segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center; operating equipment involved in sterilization processes; preparing operating room case carts; and receiving guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) AND (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1.Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. 2.Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets. 3.Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. 4.Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. Grade Determinations GS-05 (Developmental Level): (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR (b) Education. Four academic years above high school leading to a Bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation or a Bachelor's degree. AND (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. 2. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility. 3. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Grade Determinations GS-06 (Full Performance Level): (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. AND (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. 2. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. 3. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. 4. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation. 5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 820 South Damen Avenue Chicago, IL 60612 US
• Name: Cursten Sturghill
• Phone: 312-569-8850
• Email: [email protected]