Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Summary

The Medical Supply Technician position is in the Sterile Processing Service at the VA Maine Healthcare System located at the Augusta, ME location. This position is full time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

The Medical Supply Technician position provides sterilization, preparation, supply items and reusable medical equipment (RME) decontamination and distribution support for the medical center. Duties include, but are not limited to: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in decontamination area. 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 manufactures instructions. Inspects, prepares, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to: steam, VPRO and high-level disinfecting. Prepare operating room case carts daily utilizing surgery schedule. Correctly organizes reprocessed items on shelves, insuring that rotation of stock using First In- First Out (FIFO) method. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing and scrubbing. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes. Prepares, loads, and operates sterilizers such as steam, Steris VPRO and high-level disinfecting. Completes segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center. Performs high level disinfection using Cidex OPA, or equivalent according to manufacturer guidelines; documents and validates that chemicals are tested and meet requirements to ensure that disinfection has properly occurred. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, Days/Evenings Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F02694, F02695, F02696, F02697 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. This position is NOT in a Bargaining Unit. This position is covered by a special salary rate. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. No award SF50's will be accepted. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

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. English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). 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. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs. 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). Grandfathering Provision: 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. (2) MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. GS-03 Experience or Education (Entry Level) None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04 Experience or Education: (Developmental Level) 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 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. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) 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 Experience or Education: (Developmental Level) Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS 4); Duties may include, but are not limited to: 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. 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. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) below: Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Basic knowledge of eve