The Eastern Oklahoma Veterans Health Care System (EOVAHCS), Sterile Processing Service is currently recruiting two (2) Advanced Sterile Processing Technician positions located in Muskogee, OK.

Duties

The Advanced MST is responsible for reusable medical devices (RMD) in one or more specialty areas of the Health Care System. The Advanced MST receives new equipment and instruments, reviews the manufacturer's instructions for set-up, pre-cleaning, manual cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and storage. The Advanced MST will review and revise the Standard Operating Procedure for the devices, based on the manufacturer's instructions, arrange initial training for all staff and develop competency forms for the device. The Advanced MST is considered the subject matter expert in the areas of assignment. He/She will be expected to observe medical, dental and/or surgical procedures in their area of responsibility a minimum of twice a month to stay current with procedures. As the subject matter expert, the Advanced MST will observe less experienced staff reprocessing RMD and rate their level of competency. The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, neurovascular and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room. Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RMD. Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment. Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:30am - 3:00pm Compressed/Flexible:Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 623-54012-A

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: Citizenship. 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. 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. Certification. None. English Language Proficiency. 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). Grade Determinations:GS-07 (Advanced Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others. Preferred Experience: Must have 2-3 years Sterile Processing Experience This vacancy is being recruited above the full performance level. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/76 PART II APPENDIX G47 Physical Requirements: The work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout 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 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 form accidentally touching hot items. 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 area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA Eastern Oklahoma Health Care System 1011 Honor Heights Drive Muskogee, OK 74401 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]