Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

Full Job Description

The incumbent serves as a Medical Supply Technician (MST), Sterile Processing Service (SPS) for Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VISN 17, VA North Texas Health Care System (V ANTHCS) under the Associate Director for Patient Care Services.

SPS provides support to the Medical Center, Bonham, Ft Worth Outpatient Clinic (FWOPC), Garland, and Tyler Outpatient Clinic. 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 (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 2 (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.

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-03 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. This is an entry level MST position.

MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. GS-04 (Developmental Level) Experience.

Six months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; or Education.

Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation.

NOTE: Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or nursing assistants obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces, the U.S.

Maritime Service, or hospitals under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to 6 months of experience.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: 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. Assignment. This is a developmental level MST position.

Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME).

Completes segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center. Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes. Prepares operating room case carts.

MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. (3) GS-05 (Developmental Level) Experience.

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; or 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.

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. Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position.

Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing.

Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room.

Prepares, loads, and operates sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule.

MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments. GS-06 (Full Performance 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: 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. 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.

Preferred Experience: 1 year experience as Medical Supply Technician Certified Registered Central Service Technician Experience with reusable Medical Devices and surgical instrument processing Completion of a sterile processing certification program 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 03 to 06. Major Duties:

Duties include but are not limited to: The incumbent serves as a Medical Supply Technician (MST), Sterile Processing Service (SPS) for Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VISN 17, VA North Texas Health Care System (V ANTHCS) under the Associate Director for Patient Care Services.

SPS provides support to the Medical Center, Bonham, Ft Worth Outpatient Clinic (FWOPC), Garland, and Tyler Outpatient Clinic.

The incumbent functions as a Medical Supply Technician (MST) performing a wide variety of duties, including the various cleaning, decontamination and sterilization processes associated Reusable Medical Device (RMD), which includes medical and surgical instrument reprocessing.

Additional responsibilities will include assisting with quality assurance throughout the decontamination and sterilization processing areas.

Incumbent will assume continuous training in support of the reprocessing of all types of RME in support of the clinics, wards, dental and other services throughout the Medical Center.

SPS Service furnishes the Medical Center with RMD and other related materials for use by clinical staff when fulfilling patient care responsibilities.

The incumbent must determine the proper technique used to decontaminate, disinfect all types of medical equipment, thus destroying microorganisms that present a threat to patient safety, the user and the individual(s) reprocessing.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 $416.66.

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 #: 54233-F; 54234-F; 54235-F; 52823-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized