Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Full Job Description

The Medical Supply Technician (MST) is located in the Sterile Processing Service areas throughout the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.

The MST will provide sterilization, preparation, supply items and reusable medical devices decontamination and distribution support.

The MST reprocess reusable medical devices (RMD) for the facility in accordance to the manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU) and additional standards as set forth by the National Program Office of Sterile Processing (NPOSP).

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 - English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.

7402(d), and 7407(d) Experience and/or Education: Experience: Six months of experience that demonstrates the 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, 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).

Medical Supply Technician Experience and Education Grade Determinations: GS-03: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04: To qualify for the GS-04 you must meet one of the following experience or education requirements: Experience: Six months experience as a Medical Supply Technician (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 US.

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.

(TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) AND, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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 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.

GS-05: To qualify for the GS-05 you must meet one of the following experience or education requirements: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-04).

Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Performing segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME); completing segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center; operating equipment involved in sterilization processes; preparing operating room case carts; 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.

(TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) AND, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: 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.

GS-06 (Full Performance Level): Experience Requirement: To qualify for the GS-06 you must possess one year of specialized 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, hydrogen peroxide sterilizer and AER's.

such as steam, Hydrogen Peroxide Sterilizers, ETO; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule; decontaminates, and visually inspecting instruments loads and operates mechanical washer disinfectors.

AND, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, you 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 regard to instrumentation. 5.

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 . The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.

Physical Requirements: This 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.

Environmental Factors: On a regular and reoccurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment.

In both, the employee wears special clothing, gown, hair covers, shielded mask or face shield and shoe covers which can be uncomfortable warm.

While handling contaminated RMD, the employee also uses heavy duty gloves and an impervious gown.

While handling and removing items from the sterilizer the employee is subject to burns from accidently touching hot items therefore required to wear insulated gloves.

The hazards of working with sterilizing gases and chemical sterilant potentiates occupational exposure therefore employee must adhere to OSHA guidelines and hazardous safety training.

The employee often works body fluids, mucous, excretions, and bits of tissue and bone some of which may be foul smelling.

Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while sterilizing laboratory cultures prior to disposal.

The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling carts, and operation of pre- sterilizing equipment. Major Duties:

Reusable Medical Devices (RMD): Processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) as required by this position.

Document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RMD appropriate to this position.

Sterilization Procedures (Preparation and Sterilization): Unloads washer disinfectors and determines type of tray or set to assemble based on recognition of key items and the operating room and clinic schedules.

Assembles sets and trays by selecting appropriate tray lining with a lint free cloth and arranging instruments in the tray in the correct manner, e.g., hinged instruments in the open position, ring handled instruments on a spreader, heavy instruments on the bottom, delicate instruments protected to prevent damage, blades and points properly covered.

Inspects and assembles rigid container system, closes, locks, and labels correctly.

Determines proper method of sterilization (Steam, Hydrogen Peroxide Sterilizers, and ETO) selects suitable wrap, wraps item correctly, labels item, places correct chemical indicator tape on package.

Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment such as running functional (Bowie-Dick) and biological tests in sterilizers as indicated in SPS policy and procedure manual.

Prepares case carts following appropriate case setup card for that procedure and using established procedures.

Decontamination Area: Receives soiled, contaminated reusable medical supplies and devices from clinical and operatory areas.

Separates supplies and disassembles devices according to correct method and cleaning.

Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids and other gross contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing, and use of appropriate decontamination equipment.

Correctly operates the washer- disinfector, ultrasonic instrument cleaner, pressurized air, and tube dryer.

Supply and Distribution of RMD: Handles all sterile RMD supplies received, stored and dispensed by the Supply Chain Management (SCM) department.

Items are placed in areas and in a manner where damage and contamination is avoided. Uses principle of first in, first out (FIFO) when adding/returning stock to storage location.

Performs regular audits and removes compromised items from storage areas. Assembles emergency replacement trays for emergency code carts as needed for SCM distribution.

Equipment Operation/Safety: Recognizes and reports equipment malfunctions by labeling equipment and notifying the appropriate individuals.

Operates an ultrasonic cleaner, sonicator, washer disinfector, cart washer disinfector, steam sterilizers, hydrogen peroxide sterilizers and automatic endoscopic reprocessors (AER).

Complies with SPS, National Program Office for Sterile Processing (NPOSP), OSHA, and AAMI standards of safe work practices.

Provides training and orientation to less experienced sterile supply technicians on sterile processing techniques and procedures.

Receives periodic training in such areas as the use and functioning of new equipment, instruments, new or improved sterilization practices and developments in microbiology, bacteriology, and therapeutic practices as they affect the sterile processing operation.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monda - Friday - Flexible, Rotating and On Call Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 00404F/00403F/00402F/00401F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized