This position serves as a Medical Supply Technician (MST) with the Oscar G. Johnson, VAMC (OGJVAMC), Sterile Processing Service (SPS).
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: Medical Supply Technicians (MSTs) must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j. Experience: Six (6) months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work. OR, Education: One (1) year above high school that included at least six (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. Grade Determinations: GS-03 Entry Level: This is an entry level MST position. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04 Developmental Level: This is a developmental level MST position. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). Completes segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center. Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes. Prepares operating room case carts. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. Experience: Six (6) 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 (2) years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. In addition to the experience or education above, you must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below: Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. GS-05 Developmental Level: 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. Experience: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-04). OR, Education: Four (4) 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. In addition to the experience or education above, you must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below: 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 GS-06 Full Performance Level: This is the full performance level for the occupation. Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers, and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Experience: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05). In addition to the experience or education above, you must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below: Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures Preferred Experience: Sterile Processing Experience References: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: Walking, standing twisting, turning, sitting, pushing, bending, repetitive keyboarding, or carrying of light items. Some positions may require sitting for long periods of time at a computer terminal typing data while talking on a telephone headset.
FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE: This is the full performance level for the occupation. In this position, the incumbent will provide decontamination, cleaning, disinfection, preparation, sterilization, transport and storage of Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) to support the medical center in accordance with VHA Directives, department Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Manufacturer's Instructions For Use (MIFU). Receives contaminated critical (ex. surgical instruments), semi-critical (ex. endoscopes), and noncritical (ex. infusion pumps) RMD. Properly identifies and disassembles RMD and determines correct cleaning method(s) for each device, such as but not limited to manual washing, ultrasonic cleaning, cart washing, chemical cleaning, and mechanical washer/disinfector. Conducts quality assurance and verification testing of cleaning and disinfecting processes. Inspects, assembles, and performs functionality testing of all RMD in preparation area. Determines the correct method of packaging (container, wrap, peel pack) and properly packages all RMD. Follows SOPs and MIFU to properly sterilize or high-level disinfect RMD through steam sterilization, low-temperature chemical sterilization, and automatic endoscope reprocessor use. Utilizes instrument tracking system to document all reprocessing activities. Performs and documents daily operational checks, validation processes, verification testing and records for all sterilization equipment and processes. Conducts daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning of reprocessing areas and RMD storage areas. Transports RMD from soiled utility rooms throughout facility to SPS and from SPS to RMD storage areas in accordance with department SOP. Successfully completes and maintains competency in all department processes. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: Not Available Functional Statement #: 06634F,06635F, 06636F, 06637F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized