This position is located within the Sterile Processing Service at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Healthcare System located in Bay Pines, FL. The Medical Supply Technician (MST) works in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team.

Duties

The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) is knowledgeable of processes related to Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME. Duties and responsibilities of the Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) include, but are not limited to: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. Disassembles complex 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. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing. Assembles instruments; including the most complex sets, and other surgical items, by selecting appropriate items, trays, instruments, etc. and assembles them in the correct manner to ensure appropriate sterilization. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, hydrogen peroxide, ETO, and high-level disinfecting scope re-processors. Labels all sterilized items correctly according to AAMI and VHA Directive 1116(2) standards. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Builds the full complement of Operating Room case carts to include RME, implants, and disposable. Identifies suitable replacement if requested item is not available. Utilizes advanced functions of instrument tracking system. Provides guidance and training to staff members with less experience Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 6:30pm with rotating weekend and holiday shifts Telework: Not suitable for telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 20819F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for qualified and eligible applicants Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized *****OCHCO Bulletin Subject: Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages, dated October 1, 2024. Although hybrid title 38 occupations follow title 5 Veterans' preference rules, as required by the Merit Systems Protection Board (Graves v. VA, 117 M.S.P.R. 697 (2012)), 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference to external applicants for appointments made during the fiscal year to hybrid title 38 occupations among those reported to have the largest staffing shortages.

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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 Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. 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). Grade Determinations: Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing; Inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembling basic sets and trays used throughout a medical facility including those used in the operating room; preparing, loading, and operating sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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. Physical Requirements: The Physical Requirements for the position require heavy lifting (45 pounds and over). heavy carrying (45 pounds and over); Use of fingers and both hands; straight pulling (8 hours); pushing (8 hours); walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); Kneeling (8 hours). repeated bending (8 hours); both legs required; working outside and inside; excessive heat; excessive humidity; excessive noise, intermittent; constant noise; solvents (degreasing agents); Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; working around machinery with moving parts; working around moving objects or vehicles; working with hands in water; working closely with others; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception and the ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); operation of transport equipment; working alone; protracted or irregular hours of work; unusual fatigue factors (Repetitive motions).

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 CW Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard Bay Pines, FL 33744 US
• Name: Jayme Cooper
• Phone: 717-222-1893
• Email: [email protected]