Summary The incumbent serves as a Lead Medical Supply Technician responsible for the oversight of a group of MSTs at the Sterile Processing Services (SPS) Section at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Spokane, Washington. They are a member of the SPS team that performs a wide area of duties, including various cleaning, decontamination, assembly, sterilization and distribution processes associated with medical, surgical, and Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) throughout all services at MGVAMC. Responsibilities Serves as a Lead Medical Supply Technician responsible for the oversight of a group of MSTs at the Sterile Processing Services (SPS) Section at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Spokane, Washington, ensuring the work assignments of employees in the unit are carried out. The SPS team provides sterilization, processing and distribution of Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) to support VAMC staff in providing a full range of surgical/preoperative care and clinical support to Veterans. Responsible for assuring the availability of medical and surgical supplies, instrumentation, and equipment for the VAMC. Quality SPS services are essential and require technical expertise, timeliness and compliance with infection control and other guidelines to positively impact patient treatment and well-being. The nature of the work environment places the Lead MST in a key position requiring tact, diplomacy, and reliable decision-making abilities to carry out assigned responsibilities and is responsible for assisting the Chief of SPS by providing technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the organization unit. Performs the full range of Lead duties, including: Assigning as needed, evaluating work, recommending awards, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues. Participates with the interviewing of candidates and provides direction to staff. Communicates effectively with employees and internal/external staff of varying backgrounds on and off the facility. Adjusting short-term priorities as needed throughout the day. - Assists in developing performance standards, evaluating the work performance of employees and advising SPS Chief and/or Assistant Chief of performance appraisals. Resolves simple, informal complaints of employees and refers others, such as formal grievances and appeals, to the supervisor or an appropriate management official. Assist with interviewing candidates for positions in the unit and recommending appointments, promotions or reassignments. Identifying developmental and training needs of employees and providing or arranging for the needed development and training. - Monitors working conditions such as seating, ventilation, lighting, safety. Finding ways to improve production and/or increase the quality of the work including implementing ways to eliminate or reduce significant bottlenecks and barriers to production, promoting team building and improving departmental practices. Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, checking on work in progress and reviewing completed work to see that the supervisor's instructions on work priorities, methods, deadlines and quality have been met. Develops the ability of the staff and others, as appropriate, to perform and contribute to the organization through coaching, mentoring and providing ongoing feedback and by granting opportunities to learn. Appropriately recognizes and rewards employee's contributions and performance in accordance with policy and within established timeframes. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 7AM - 3:30PM, Monday - Friday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.) 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; (Supporting documentation required if qualifying via education) OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. (Supporting documentation required if qualifying via education) 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). Grade Determinations: GS-08 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to read and interpret written procedures and select appropriate action in order to instruct staff in correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. 2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. 3. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. 4. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures. 5. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments. Preferred Experience: Sterile processing 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-8. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs.), pulling hand over hand, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking standing, and repeated bending. Environmental factors include excessive noise - intermittent, working closely with others, and working alone. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
