Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)
What you'd do
The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) supports the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System by performing sterilization, preparation, distribution, and decontamination of reusable medical equipment. Duties include managing disposable and reusable patient-care instruments, equipment such as suction machines and infusion pumps, and surgical trays processed within Sterile Processing Service.
Major duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties: - Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME) in the decontamination area. - Inspects, assembles, and determines correct sterilization methods (steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, high-level disinfecting reprocessors). - Follows all facility regulations for proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). - Prepares, loads, and operates sterilizers including steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high-level disinfecting reprocessors. - Rotates and restocks supplies; maintains adequate stock for wards, clinics, and the operating room. - Initiates requests for items based on daily schedules or individual requisitions. - Prepares surgical case carts with required instruments and supplies for scheduled and emergency procedures. - Receives a full range of reusable medical supplies, instruments, and equipment from clinical areas. - Decontaminates reusable items using manual cleaning methods to remove gross contamination. - Disassembles, cleans, and reassembles reusable items as necessary. - Operates automated reprocessing equipment such as ultrasonic cleaners and washer-disinfectors per device Instructions for Use (IFU). - Performs high-level disinfection (HLD) using manual and automated methods following device IFUs. - Examines instruments and items for damage, wear, or defects. - Maintains accurate written records of equipment quality checks and preventative maintenance. - Follows device-specific IFUs and established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during assembly and sterilization. - Assembles a wide range of instrument trays and sets used across medical procedures, including the operating room. - Checks for damaged or missing items and arranges repairs or replacements as needed. - Processes, assembles, and completes all phases of sterilization for intricate surgical trays and microsurgery instruments, including highly specialized sets with unique, non-interchangeable components. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 10:00am - 6:30pm, subject change based on the needs of the facility. Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized 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 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) 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 #: 00642F, 00643F, 00644F, 00645F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. 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. 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. 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)(a) 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: At least one year of progressively responsible Sterile Processing experience, including the decontamination, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments and medical equipment. 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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
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