Lead Medical Supply Technician Sterile Processing

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 (6) months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or,
• Education: One (1) year above high school that included at least six (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.
• 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.

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 -Experience: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 level. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Receiving contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area; disassembling the RME and determining 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; inspecting, assembling and determining the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors; performing and documenting daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

1. Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments.
2. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations.
3. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.
4. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures.
5. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments.

Selective Placement Factor: Must be proficient in spoken and written Spanish language.

Preferred Experience:

• Two (2) years of experience as a Medical Supply Technician (MST), preferred. Knowledge and experience on management of instrumentation used in Operating Room & clinical settings; universal precautions; infection control measures; sterility & high-level disinfection principles; and reusable medical equipment, preferred. Knowledge and experience on management of endoscopes reprocessing, preferred. VHA SPS Level 2 Training, preferred

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-07

Physical Requirements: : The work is performed in various settings throughout the facility, to include but not limited to; decontamination, scope room, sterile storage, Prep & Packaging and clinical departments. The incumbent may be required to work in a multitude of temperature variants. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday, with frequent bending and lifting of instrumentation (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 will be asked to rotate between carefully controlled clean environments and the contaminated area of decontamination. The employee wears personal protective equipment, as appropriate for their area. This will include, but not limited to; hospital provided surgical attire, hair covers, beard covers, shoe covers and hospital dedicated shoes. The employee may be exposed to hazardous materials or loud noises within the department