Summary The Advanced Medical Supply Technician (MST) is responsible for the decontamination, disinfecting, reprocessing, packaging, sterilization, and storage of critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME). Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment and reprocessing methodologies. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME, some non-critical RME, in the decontamination area. Determines appropriate method of decontamination based on local Standard Operating Procedures and manufacturers' written cleaning instructions. 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. Responsible for following the local Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) drafted in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendations when reprocessing RME. Will not reprocess any reusable medical equipment based on vendor's verbal instruction alone; this is not an adequate practice. Detailed working knowledge of various processes to include receiving RME, inspecting, decontaminating soiled RME instruments and apparatus to include highly complex surgical instruments and endoscopic scopes(examples: daVinci Robotic instruments, open heart instruments, craniotomy) used in operating rooms and in a clinical setting. Will perform and document daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. 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. 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. 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. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 3:30PM - 12:00AM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40810-F 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. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency - English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d) Experience and/or Education - Experience - Six months of experience that demonstrates the 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. Grandfather Provision. A Medical Supply Technician (MST) employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (May 28, 2014) 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: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees 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. Employees 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 re-entry to the occupation. GRADE DETERMINATION - GS-07 Experience Requirement: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following KSAs: Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. 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. Note: You must provide detailed information of your experience performed. Information such as "I was a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)" is insufficient to determine your qualifications. Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. 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-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Work requires walking, standing, bending, stooping, and stretching. It may require some lifting and/or carrying heavy items during the course of the work day. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office setting, the SPS work area or other clinical settings. Incumbent is required to wear protective clothing and be subjected to loud noises from machinery and offensive smells. Incumbent must exercise various safety precautions, protective measures/ devices, etc., eg wearing protective gown, mask, and or gloves. Incumbent must carefully monitor the work area to minimize potential exposure to hydrogen peroxide and other hazardous materials, ensuring compliance with OSHA, EPA, VA and local polices and regulations. Education There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level. Additional Information 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.
