The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (MST) in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) works in support of the Chief and Assistant Chief of SPS and is the first line supervisor for MSTs. Supervises MSTs supporting the Reusable Medical Device (RMD) program to accomplish the mission, vision, and goals of the organization.
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. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Experience and/or Education 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. Grade Determinations: GS-08 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of the GS-7. 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. Assignment. The Supervisory MST functions as a first-level supervisor responsible for the oversight of a group of MSTs, with administrative responsibility for planning and directing the work. Oversees attendance and leave, including approval of sick and annual leave and vacation schedules. Informs higher level management of anticipated vacancies or increases in workload. Recommends promotions, reassignments, recognition of superior performance, retention or release of probationary employees or other changes of assigned personnel. Holds corrective interviews with employees, referring disciplinary problems to higher levels of management. Resolves informal complaints of employees and deals with union representatives on personnel matters. Provides technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the organizational unit. Preferred Experience: 2 years SPS reprocessing experience. 1 year at least at the full performance level of MST(GS6). VA SPS certification or HSPA certification or CBSPD certification. 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: 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 instrumentation. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The employee wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warm. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of equipment.
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Supply Aide and Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Supply-Aide-Career-Flyer.pdf Independently plans and conducts and makes analysis of operations within the service for evaluating the methods, procedures, workflow, personnel utilizations, etc., and recommends to the Chief and Assistant Chief of SPS those courses of action or changes which will improve services to the Veteran or affect economy of operation. Establish and maintain an accurate RMD inventory, reprocessing equipment, and ensure RMD availability for patient care utilization. Plan, organize, direct, train and coordinate all activities associated with a comprehensive sterile processing service. Highly specialized and require an in-depth knowledge of processes, reprocessing equipment, reusable medical devices, and reprocessing methodology. Responsible for supporting formulation and execution of the service's administrative policies and procedures. The Supervisor of SPS manages SPS as a service line within the VA medical facility using a planned, implemented and evaluated Quality Management System (QMS) Program. Responsible for overseeing the various SPS areas of reprocessing and functions. Such areas and functions include Decontamination, Preparation, Assembly, Packaging, High and Low Temperature Sterilization, and Disinfection necessary to provide patient care safely and efficiently. Provides oversight in all aspects of Sterile Processing Services to include planning and scheduling priorities based on available staffing, RMD, reprocessing equipment, resources and the RMD reprocessing workload throughout the facility. Review processes, equipment, and resources to ensure the facility is keeping up with new requirements, process improvements, and best practices in the field of sterile processing. Oversees the receipt, processing, transportation, storage, and utilization of critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices. Utilizes safety precautions in performance of duties. Maintains data integrity and manages information within the instrument tracking/management system to meet the clinical needs of patient care. Hears and resolves minor complaints from employees and can initiate disciplinary measures. Counsels, guides and evaluates performance. Carries out Equal Employment Opportunity policies and program activities. Recruits and hires qualified MSTs, and identifies training needs and facilitates career opportunities. Monitors employee orientation, training, and certification in accordance with standards set by applicable VA Directives, the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). Oversee service employee productivity and SOP and competency adherence and assists the Chief and Assistant Chief in all personnel actions. Follows VA directives, agency guidelines, regulatory agency recommendations, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and demonstrates competency in the performance of all reprocessing duties and tasks in Sterile Processing Services. Applies knowledge of sterile processing methodology in directing staff and making service and program decisions and recommendations. Collaborates with medical, nursing, and administrative staff to provide effective decision making regarding sterile processing meeting the needs of clinical customers. Provides the customer with consistent information per established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Serves as the Customer Service Liaison and works toward resolution of problems that may arise between SPS and other services within the Medical Center. Keep Chiefs of SPS apprised of situations that warrant intervention and proposes alternatives for the Chief of SPS to resolve these complaints or concerns. Monitors quality program implementation and indicators designed to deliver highly reliable patient care and to verify adherence to quality plans and requirements. Assists with management of the Equipment Inventory Listing (EIL) to ensure that all equipment and devices are accounted for. Maintains data integrity and manages information within the instrument tracking/management system to meet the clinical needs of patient care. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 2:00pm-10:30pm. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52346A