Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

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; 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.

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-08 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). Examples of the GS-07 experience include: Assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation; Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room; Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing reusable medical equipment (RME); Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment; Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds.
2. Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed.
3. Ability to oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RME.
4. Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues.

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of Reusable Medical Equipment
• Knowledge of surgical instrumentation used in operating rooms and clinical settings
• Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/83 PART II APPENDIX G47 MEDICAL SUPPLY TECHNICIAN (STERILE PROCESSING) QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-622 Veterans Health Administration https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/federal-wage-system-qualifications/

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; Straight pulling (1 hours); Pushing (1 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (2 hours); Kneeling (1 hours); Repeated bending (1 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors