Medical Supply Technician - Sterile Processing

This position is located in the Sterile Processing Service, East Orange MC. The assignment involves receiving and reprocessing Reusable Medical Equipment which will be used by various customers within the medical center for scheduled or emergency procedures. Assignment also includes advising surgical teams and other customers on the availability and time required to provide specific instrumentation which has a direct effect on surgical and ambulatory care procedure outcome and patient safety. 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 (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. Certification. None. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the 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. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. Current VA employees in this occupational series 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). Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current MST Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with MST responsibilities. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid / non-paid employment as a MST. (2) Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MST experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a MST is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MST employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1 / 2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. Grade Determinations : The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-06 (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (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 Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. (c) Assignment. This is the full performance level for the occupation. Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. Disassembles the 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. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. References : VA HANDBOOK 5005 / 83 PART II APPENDIX G47 The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-06, which is the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy. Physical Requirements : Physical requirements are those physical, mental and emotional capabilities and characteristics that are essential for successful job performance. Physical requirements must be clearly supported by the actual duties of the position and documented in the position description or functional statement and supported by a study(ies) or evaluation(s) establishing physical requirement(s) is job-related to the occupation(s). [" Medical Supply Aide and Technician : Receives a variety of reusable medical equipment (simple to complex) from the Perioperative Patient Care Center (, OR, GI / Endoscopy, and IR), including inpatient and ambulatory care clinics. Sorts and disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning / decontamination solutions, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, hydrogen peroxide gas (Sterrad / V-PRO), ethylene oxide gas (ETO), and automated endoscope (AER) for high level disinfecting endoscopes. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization and high-level disinfection equipment. Routinely inspects trays and single instruments stored in the sterile storage room for breaches in integrity. A basic understanding of Medical and Surgical Terminology, therapeutic procedures and of human anatomy and physiology. Be trained to ascertain and verify that all non-biological implants coming into the Medical Center are sterile / sterilized before being delivered to the clinical staff by having them go through SPS for inspection and / or sterilization. Knowledgeable of trays and supply requirements for all surgical procedures to facilitate procedures for case carts in the Operating Room. The incumbents will use our Instrument tracking system (Censitrac) to log and track each piece of instrumentation that undergoes the process of cleaning and sterilization. The incumbents will document and maintained records information for each process as indicated. The incumbents must be proficient and knowledgeable in the cleaning, sterilization, and assembly of minor and complex trays. Must be knowledgeable of High-Level Disinfection methods available in the facility. Assigned Tasks : Enters temporary work orders (TWOR) Maintain individual workstations in the Preparation room and Decontamination room Performs daily environmental cleaning duties in all assigned work areas. Routinely cleans storage shelves, cabinets, and surfaces of workstations / tables at the end of each shift and as needed, and cleans all sterilizers weekly Routinely utilizes SharePoint system to locate manufacturer instructions, standard operating procedures, upload intake count sheets, upload training documents and CEU's, and enters nonconformities Routinely operates reprocessing equipment including monitoring and documenting load / cycle information Prepares individual surgical case carts with required instrumentation and surgical supplies for scheduled and emergency procedures based on procedure guides and availability of supplies Identifies damaged or missing instruments and if available, replaces to ensure tray or cassette is complete Assists with training of new employees Work Schedule : 8 hour shifts, tours will vary, will be discussed further at time of interview Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Critical Skills Incentive Approved Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance) : Not Authorized Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases; When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off : 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year); Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave : After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy : After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $ Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance : Federal health / vision / dental / term life / long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework : Not Available Virtual : This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # : PD000000 Medical Supply Technician - Sterile Processing Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not required"]