Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)
What you'd do
The Marion VA Health Care System is actively recruiting for two (2) Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) positions; one position will be located in Marion, IL and one in Evansville, IN.
Major duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Lead Medical Supply Technician (MST) serves as a key operational leader within SPS. In collaboration with the Chief and Assistant Chief, Lead MST ensures safe, compliant, and efficient processing of reusable medical devices (RMD), and fosters a positive, highly functioning team environment that supports exceptional care across the Marion VA Healthcare System. Duties of the position include: Oversee and coordinate the end-to-end SPS workflow, including decontamination, assembly, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments and equipment. Ensure accurate, timely documentation for all processing steps and instrument movements. Assist with daily scheduling, case prioritization, and assignment of work to meet clinical demand. Monitor and enforce adherence to infection prevention standards, manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFUs), regulatory requirements, and VHA directives. Identify and address barriers to compliance, escalating issues promptly as needed. Serve as a subject matter resource for complex instrument sets, specialty trays, and advanced equipment. Provide hands-on guidance to staff on IFU interpretation and application, troubleshooting, and best practices. Lead quality assurance activities, including audits, defect tracking, and trend analysis to proactively identify risks. Implement corrective actions and verify resolution before instruments reach the end user. Partners with Nursing Services, Logistics, Biomedical Engineering, Facilities Management, and Environmental Management to coordinate care and rapidly resolve SPS-related issues. Maintain effective communication channels and service-level expectations with stakeholders. Manage inventory levels and tracking of sterile supplies to support uninterrupted clinical operations. Serve as the subject matter expert for the instrument tracking system, ensuring data integrity, user compliance, and effective utilization. Model professionalism, respect, and teamwork; contribute to a collaborative, psychologically safe work environment. Lead and participate in performance improvement initiatives to advance SPS growth, reliability, and service excellence. Perform other duties within the scope of training and practice supporting organizational goals and mission. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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) 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 #: 000000 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. Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work. 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. 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: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-07 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) 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: Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments. Preferred Experience: Five years sterile processing experience Preferred leadership experience Healthcare Sterile Processing Association or alternative Sterile Processing Service certification 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-7. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: This position requires long periods of standing, walking, bending, and lifting. The incumbent usually stands and moves from one part of the department to another. There is a frequent requirement for lifting containers of stainless-steel instruments weighing more than 25 pounds from floor level to chest level. Dexterity and strength are required for lifting and positioning RMD. The incumbent regularly pushes loaded carts weighing several hundred pounds and loads them into elevators and through entryways. The incumbent must be capable of working effectively in stressful situations and be able to shift priorities based on needs.
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