Summary

Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) will be supporting the decontamination - preparation - and sterilization - disinfection - and distribution of the facilities critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices (RMD). Will utilize the processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) - Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for decontaminating - preparation - sterilization - and disinfection of RMD appropriate to this position.

Qualifications

***This is an open continuous announcement until December 19 - 2025. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. ***

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - paragraph 3g.) English Language Proficiency MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English
• 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
• 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) 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: 1 year of sterile processing experience
• VA Sterile Processing certification (Level 2) or HSPA (formerly IAHCSMM) or CBSPD 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-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 work is performed in various settings: decontamination - preparation - clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus
• The MST may be required to work in areas that are hot - humid - cold - drafty - and poorly lighted
• The employee is subject to the possibility of falls - scrapes - cuts - bruises - and other injuries from material handling equipment
• The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds)
• The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating - disassembly and assembly of RMD - as well as discerning physical monitors and process indicators of equipment
• On a regular and recurring basis - the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment
• The employee wears special clothing - and personal protective equipment (PPE) that can be uncomfortably warm
• The Medical Supply is subject to burns and chemical exposure
• The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments - rumbling of carts and operation of equipment

Duties

• https://www.youtube.com/embed/LM35k1p_3Tc Supports the decontamination - preparation - and sterilization - disinfection - and distribution of the facilities critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices (RMD)
• Utilizes the processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) as required by this position
• Utilizes Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for decontaminating - preparation - sterilization - and disinfection of RMD appropriate to this position
• Performs work pertaining to the decontamination - preparation - sterilization - disinfection - and distribution of reusable medical devices (RMD)
• and tracking RMD in the instrument tracking program and documenting all Quality Assurance involved in decontamination - preparation - sterilization - and disinfection and tracking RMD in the instrument tracking program and documenting all Quality Assurance involved in decontamination - preparation - sterilization - and disinfection - distribution - and inventory management processes
• Operates equipment involved in decontamination - preparation - sterilization - and disinfection processes
• Tracks RMD in the instrument tracking program and documenting all Quality Assurance involved in decontamination - preparation - sterilization - and disinfection processes
• Maintains current knowledge of the SOPs and manufacturer's instructions for use (MIFU) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning - preparation - sterilization - disinfection - and distribution of RMD
• Cleans manually RMD - remove gross soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids - and other containments by discarding - wiping - brushing - scrubbing - soaking - rinsing
• and mechanically wash RMD in decontamination
• Dries - inspects - prepares - assembles - maintains - handles - packages RMD according to SOPs and/or MIFUs
• Disinfects and/or sterilizes RMD utilizing appropriate disinfection and/or sterilization methods and equipment according to SOPs and MIFUs
• Performs and documents daily operational checks for all processes and equipment
• Performs work in various settings: decontamination - preparation - clean sterile supply and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus
• The Medical Supply Technician may be required to work in areas that are hot or cold
• The Medical Supply Technician is subject to the possibility of falls - scrapes - cuts - bruises - and other injuries from material handling equipment
• Requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds)
• Requires dexterity and visual acuity for assessing - manipulating - disassembly and assembly of RMD - as well as discerning physical monitors and process indicators of equipment
• Alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment
• Wears special clothing - and personal protective equipment (PPE) that can be uncomfortably warm
• The Medical Supply Technician is subject to burns and chemical exposure
• Works around body fluids - mucous - excretions and bits of tissue - some of which may be foul smelling
• The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments - rumbling of carts and operation of reprocessing equipment
• Work Schedule: 2:00 pm - 10:30 pm 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) 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 #: 54534A
• 54535A
• 54536A
• 54538A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized