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Posted: March 23, 2026 (4 days ago)

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Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration

Department of Veterans Affairs

Fresh

Salary

$49,426 - $64,251

per year

Closes

March 30, 2026More VA jobs →

GS-6 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $37,764 - $49,094

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-5. Bachelor's degree + some experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves cleaning, sterilizing, and preparing medical equipment and supplies in a veterans' hospital to ensure they're safe for use in surgeries and clinics.

The role requires hands-on work in a decontamination area, handling heavy items, and following strict safety protocols.

It's a good fit for someone with entry-level healthcare experience or related education who is detail-oriented, physically fit, and committed to patient safety.

Key Requirements

  • United States citizenship (non-citizens only if qualified citizens unavailable)
  • Six months of relevant experience or one year of post-high school education with at least 6 semester hours in healthcare-related courses (or equivalent combination)
  • One year of creditable experience at GS-05 level, including cleaning contaminated medical equipment, inspecting packages, assembling trays, and operating sterilizers
  • Knowledge of surgical instruments, universal precautions, medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and sterility principles
  • Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures
  • Physical ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 50 pounds, and transport carts up to 400 pounds

Full Job Description

The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) works in the Sterile Processing Service, VA Central Ohio Healthcare System, Chalmers P.

Wylie Veterans Outpatient Clinic located in Columbus, Ohio.

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 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.

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: Grade Requirements: GS-06 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Equivalent experience at the next lower level includes the following: 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.

Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures.

Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

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).

References: VA Handbook 5005, APPENDIX G47. MEDICAL SUPPLY TECHNICIAN (STERILE PROCESSING) QUALIFICATION STANDARD. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements: The employee usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another while performing duties.

There is frequent requirement for lifting instrument trays or baskets or instrument sets weighing up to 50 pounds from the floor to chest level.

The incumbent transports trays and equipment on carts that may weigh up to 400 pounds when full. They may be pushed but are usually pulled due to height and visibility concerns. Major Duties:

Technician requires knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and maintains current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME appropriate to this position.

Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in decontamination area(s) such as main decontamination and GI Scope decontamination.

Receives noncritical case carts in the decontamination area for transport of RME as well.

Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to manual cleaning, ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents as determined by manufactures instructions.

Inspects, prepares, assemb8les and determines the correct method of packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to Steam, Plasma (Sterrad), and high-level disinfection such as Cidex OPA, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and the Automated Equipment Reprocessor (AER).

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 6:00 pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

W 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 #: #92103-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/23/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/24/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: CBSR-12916342-26-NS