The Fayetteville, NC VA Medical Center has an opening for a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing.) The MSTs main responsibility is the prevention of infections by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing medical supplies in a health care facility by using their knowledge on the principles of sterilization and sterile processing.
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. Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, and section A. paragraph 3j. Experience: one year of experience equivalent to the next lower GS-05 grade. 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. All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.) Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Grade Determinations: The GS-6 Medical Supply Technician is the full performance level. The expected experience is six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; OR education that is 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 an equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. AND, The candidate must demonstrate the following professional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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, physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. 4. Knowledge of sterility principles regarding instrumentation. 5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Preferred Experience: 3+ years of Sterile Processing Supply experience 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. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring case carts and other objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing while on duty. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on departmental needs. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.
The MST decontaminates, sterilizes instruments, medical supplies, and equipment. Assembles, wraps, and sterilizes trays of instruments. Follows proper Standard Precautions while in decontamination and sterilization trays. Monitors biological and chemical wash solution to ensure quality and consistency for decontamination of instruments and medical equipment. Sorts mismatched sets of instruments, trays, and medical equipment making them available to sterile processing customers in a timely manner. Restocks, labels, maintains inventory, submits requisitions, collects, and distributes instruments, trays, crash carts, and facility medical equipment. Performs environmental maintenance duties and assists in maintaining inventory levels in sterile processing, operating room, and equipment storage areas. Verifies that equipment functions properly, requisitions for equipment maintenance repair or replacement, and removes defective equipment. Maintains a clean work area. Assists in maintaining established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality improvement, safety, environmental and infection control standards. Communicates appropriately using good interpersonal skills. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions, and procedures. Uses a computerized instrument tracking system in the performance of assigned duties, obtaining count sheets, special handling instructions for instrumentation documenting sterilization loads, and other assigned task. The MST embraces patient-family centered care principles. The incumbent practices excellent customer service in all work activities. The MST must be poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds. The MST makes caring for the veteran his/her priority in all aspects of work. The MST is willing to work cooperatively as a member of a team in all assignments. Medical Supply Aide and Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Supply-Aide-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 6:30am - 5:00pm, variable shifts with On Call for emergencies Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Authorized, 8 hour and 10 hour shifts available. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #: MST-GS06 Rev. 0624 Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf