Summary The incumbent is considered an advanced level position and located in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS), VA Medical Center-Memphis. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required. The incumbent may be required to work days evenings, nights, weekends, and/or holidays. Responsibilities The Medical Supply Technician (Advanced Level) 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, robotics, and operating room. Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. 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. Assignments consist of several duties such as those involved in decontaminating, cleaning, and sterilizing RME. Assembling and sterilizing the full range of packs, trays, and sets used including complex sets. Assignments consist of a series of steps involved in loading and unloading sterilizers, inspecting packages for integrity, validating the proper recording of date and placing this information in the department sterilization records. Concentration and discernment are required to the more complex instruments from those that are not complex. The incumbent uses judgment and initiative that includes selecting the appropriate equipment and methods, recognizing conditions that cause erroneous results, and troubleshooting technical problems that may occur during the decontamination and sterilization process. Duties include, but are not limited to: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME, some non-critical RME, in the decontamination area. Disassembles RME per manufacturers' guidelines. Determines appropriate method of decontamination based on local Standard Operating Procedures and manufacturers' written cleaning instructions. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing. Operates decontamination equipment such as washer decontaminators, sonic washers, irrigators, laparoscopic insulation tester, automatic cart wash; AER and tube dryers. Assembles specialty and complex trays, laparoscopic, and endoscope trays used for a variety of general and specialized medical and surgical procedures. Knowledgeable of all clinic trays, instrumentation, equipment and par levels required to maintain continuity of care. Prior to sterilization, performs quality assurance activities including monitoring biological and chemical indicators, Bowie dick tests, and time/temperature graphs. After sterilization, ensures appropriate RME checks are documented. Other quality assurance activities include verification or accurate labeling of packaging, packaging contents, cleanliness and working order, and verification of sterilization parameters. Data gathered is evaluated and findings and recommendations to improve effectiveness or processes are made to the supervisor/lead. Incumbent is responsible for following the local Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) drafted in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendations when reprocessing RME. SPS supervisors and Infection Prevention and Control should be consulted when clarification of written instructions are needed. Incumbent will not reprocess any reusable medical equipment based on vendor's verbal instruction alone; this is not an adequate practice. Incumbent will perform and document daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. The incumbent reprocessing RME must have documented training in the setup, reprocessing and maintenance of specific equipment. Initial validation of competency will be done, and minimally, on an annual basis. The incumbent that has the responsibility of reprocessing RME can suspend the reuse of any RME if it is suspected the device was not properly cleaned, disinfected or sterilized according to the SOP and manufacturer's guidelines. The incumbent must have an in-depth knowledge of the importance in reprocessing of RME according to manufacturer guidelines and the significant impact on our Veteran population through the risk of infectious disease. Assignments involve selecting the appropriate series of steps from several alternatives in each of the several different work areas. Work involves putting together sterilization test packs and recording the results after the test pack is run. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 3:30pm - Midnight Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 50971F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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 trial 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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. 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 (Note: A transcript must be submitted with your application). Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. (To calculate the percentage, divide the total months of qualifying experience by 6. Then divide the total number of completed semester of graduate education by 30. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify) English Language: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. 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). Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Required Experience: : In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Receiving contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area; disassembling the RME and determining 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; inspecting, assembling and determining the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors; performing and documenting daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. and Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others. Preferred Experience: Knowledge of Sterile Processing equipment, supplies, and processes. Certification in SPD with HSPA or VHA Level II References: For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 7. 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 incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, 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 regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for prolonged periods of time, frequent bending and stretching/reaching, walking, and pushing fully loaded carts which must be negotiated up inclines and over rises, or positioning them. There are frequent trips throughout the facility picking up soiled items or delivering clean/sterile equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages/trays (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. There is frequent requirement for lifting individual instruments, instrument trays, and items weighing up to 50 pounds from just above the floor to above the head. The technician transports trays and equipment on a variety of carts that may weigh several hundred pounds when full. Employee must be acutely aware of safety requirements when moving these carts as they have areas that extend outside the visible area that can cause harm to other staff or equipment. Education There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level. Additional Information 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.
