Summary

The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. This position is located at the Bob Stump VA Medical Center in Prescott - AZ. As a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - you'll help ensure reusable medical equipment is properly reprocessed - maintained - and ready for use across the facility.

Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency
• MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j - this part
• GS-05 (Developmental Level) Grade Determination: 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• (KSAs must be clearly annotated on your resume) In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings
• Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility
• Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment
• Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position
• Removes soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids - and other containments by wiping - soaking - rinsing - and scrubbing
• Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization - assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room
• Prepares - loads - and operates sterilizers such as steam - Sterrad - Steris - ETO - and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor
• prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule
• MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings throughout the facility - to include but not limited to decontamination - endoscope reprocessing - high-level disinfection - preparation (inspection - assembly - packaging - sterilization) and sterile storage
• The trainee may be required to work in a multitude of temperature variants
• The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday - with frequent bending - lifting of instrumentation
• May require the ability to deliver loaded transport carts to the point of use
• May require the ability to operate equipment - such as cart transport assist devices
• The work requires dexterity and visual acuity - including the ability to differentiate color for interpretation of quality assurance tests - manipulating - disassembly and assembly of instrumentation
• On a regular and recurring basis - the trainee will be asked to rotate between carefully controlled clean environments and the contaminated area of decontamination
• The trainee wears personal protective equipment - as appropriate for their area
• This may include - but not limited to
• hospital provided surgical attire - hair covers - beard covers - and appropriate shoe coverings
• The trainee may be exposed to hazardous materials and loud noises within work areas
• The trainee may be exposed to chemicals and chemical/ sterilant fumes - blood-borne pathogens - varied temperature and humidity levels - slip/trip/fall conditions related to wet environments - and sharp items
• The trainee often works around body fluids - mucus - excretions - and bits of tissue - some of which may be foul smelling
• Strong - unpleasant odors are encountered while disinfecting instruments - RME - and work surfaces.

Duties

• The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions
• The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field
• Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained - coached - and supervised by a preceptor
• Preceptors are selected annually - through an extensive application process - for their technical expertise - their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location
• *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility - Training - and Continued Service Agreements
• This is a developmental position leading to a GS-06 - performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision
• You will ultimately acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-06
• Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance - availability of higher level work - and availability of funds
• The trainee rotates among the various reprocessing areas - which may entail case cart assembly - instruments - and equipment reprocessing
• Duties include but are not limited to: Periodically monitors operation of sterilizer with prescribed tests
• Disassembles - cleans - lubricates - reassembles - and sterilizes dental handpieces and numerous dental specialty instruments and trays
• Properly loads and operates sterilizers such as Steam - and hydrogen peroxide gas plasma
• Selects correct sterilization method for items to be sterilized
• Monitors performance of sterilizers for quality control by conducting bacteriological tests (bacillus stearothermophilus spores for evaluation of steam and bacillus subtillis for evaluation of hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizers)
• Properly documents load contents on sterilization records
• Receives periodic training in such areas as the use and functioning of new medical - dental and surgical instruments - and equipment
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.