Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Full Job Description

The MST who is assigned to SPS (Sterile Processing Service) functions as a member of the SPS service and provides support for all matters of concern relating to procedures for the decontamination, high level disinfection (HLD), and/or sterilization of critical and semi-critical reusable medical instruments and equipment and storage of items reprocessed at Veteran Affairs Maryland Health Care System Medical (VAMHCS).facility with management of Reusable Medical Devices (RMD).

Basic Requirements: 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 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. Grandfathering Provision.

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).

All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.

(2) MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

(3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations: GS-03 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. 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. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Knowledge of surgical instruments and equipment.

Familiar with Blood Borne pathogens and related Infection Control processes.

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-6.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.

This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, lifting 30 pounds or more and pushing.

Required to stand and move from one part of the room to another in performance of assigned duties and is also required to travel throughout the medical center observing the processes in placed in different services.

Transferring objects may be required. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties May Include: Collects, receives, inspects, decontaminates, high-level disinfects and performs terminal sterilization of instruments, equipment, and apparatus to include complex diagnostic equipment and medical apparatus.

Completely and thoroughly dissembles and positions all parts of RMD to ensure the removal of bioburden, proper cleaning, and disinfection prior to sterilization.

Performs leak tests on Endoscopes to ensure that the watertight integrity of the scope is intact before initiating the cleaning and high-level disinfection process or terminal sterilization.

Inspects, assembles, packages, high-level disinfects and sterilizes all instruments, instrument sets, and packs for use throughout the medical center.

Performs appropriate and safe reprocessing for all RMD by strictly adhering to the Quality Management Program (e.g., uses testers, bioburden checks and instrument integrity checks).

Follows all manufacturers' instructions on packaging and sterilization of RMD using department SOPs based on manufacturer guidelines.

Performs quality assurance activities including but not limited to monitoring biological and chemical indicators and integrators, Bowie Dick tests, time, and temperature logs, and ensures appropriate RMD checks are documented after sterilization or reprocessing.

Performs other quality assurance activities including verifying accuracy of labeling, contents, cleanliness, working order and sterilization parameters.

Evaluates gathered data and based upon findings, makes recommendations to improve effectiveness or processes.

Follows local SOPs which are written in accordance with the manufacturers' written recommendations for reprocessing RME.

Work Schedule: 8:30a-5p 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 #: 26201F, 26202F, 26203F, 26204F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized