The following are requirements for appointment as a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). These requirements apply to all VHA Medical Supply Technicians (Sterile Processing) (MSTs) in the General Schedule (GS)-0622 series.
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. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; OR 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 Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. 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: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-0622-03 (Entry Level): None beyond the basic requirements. GS-0622-04 (Developmental Level): GS-0622-04 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 GS-0622-04 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. OR GS-0622-04 KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSAs): 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-0622-04 ASSIGNMENT: 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. GS-0622-05 (Developmental Level): GS-0622-05 EXPERIENCE: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; OR GS-0622-05 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 GS-0622-05 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. GS-0622-05 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & 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-0622-06 (Full Performance Level): GS-0622-6 EXPERIENCE: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing; Inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembling basic sets and trays used throughout a medical facility including those used in the operating room; preparing, loading, and operating sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule. GS-0622-6 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & 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. 5 4. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation. 5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. GS-0622-06 ASSIGNMENT:: The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room. Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment. Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines. Preferred 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-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: s. Requirements established for individual positions in occupations that do not have Medical Standards as defined above. Physical requirements are those physical, mental and emotional capabilities and characteristics that are essential for successful job performance. Physical requirements must be clearly supported by the actual duties of the position and documented in the position description or functional statement, and supported by a study(ies) or evaluation(s) establishing physical requirement(s) is job-related to the occupation(s). An applicant or employee may not be disqualified arbitrarily on the basis of physical requirements or other criteria that do not relate specifically to performance of the duties of a specific position.]
GS-0622-03: This is an entry level MST position. 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, and high-level disinfecting scope Reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Performs duties under full supervision. GS-0622-04: This is a developmental level MST position. Receives contaminated critical and semicritical 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, and high-level disinfecting scope Reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Performs duties under moderate-to-full supervision. GS-0622-05: This is a developmental level MST position. Receives contaminated critical and semicritical 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, and high-level disinfecting scope Reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Performs duties under minimal supervision. GS-0622-06: 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, and high-level disinfecting Scope Reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Performs duties independently. All grade levels will be required to learn and follow phases of reprocessing RMD, including Decontamination, Disinfection, Preparation and Packaging, and Sterilization. Participate shift-to-shift huddles. Uses the Instrument Tracking System (Censitrac) to collect, receive, sort, clean, assemble, package, sterilize, and deliver Critical, Semi-Critical, and Non-Critical RMD. Utilizes advanced functions of instrument tracking system to manage RMD throughout SPS and the facility. Wears appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Completes set-up of all areas including restocking (FIFO), validations, tests. Validate and test equipment on a daily and/or weekly schedule, documenting in Censitrac. Monitors operation of all equipment, using biological, chemical, and mechanical indicators. Reports any discrepancies to the Supervisor or Lead. Water quality testing performed and documented daily. Scan into the Decontamination area, and at each processing point (i.e., sink, ultrasonic, washer/disinfector, scope reprocessing, and other processing equipment as necessary). Disassembles RMD for both manual and mechanical cleaning, using approved chemicals, equipment, and techniques to successfully render items safe for further processing. Performs all required RMD inspection and testing to ensure functionality and safety of RMD (conductivity testing, sharpness, articulation of hinged instruments, use of the borescope to check lumens and cannulas). Obtains missing items for trays, or appropriately labels trays for missing or damaged items. Provides accurate count sheets, including documentation of additional pertinent information. Provides accurate labels for all items being prepared. Work Schedule: 7:00am-3:30pm hours will shift to 3:00pm-11:30pm after 6 month training period Functional Statement #: