Summary The Medical Supply Technician is under the administrative and technical supervision of the Chief of SPS and Associate Director of Patient Care Services/Nurse Executive. The incumbent performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization, and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). Responsibilities Responsible for sterile preparation which is accomplished through inspection, assembly, packaging, and terminal sterilization of all trays, sets, and packs for use throughout the facility Assembles delicate micro-surgical sets such as micro-surgical ear set. ENT plastic set for procedures requiring plastic surgery, microsurgical eye instruments, and other surgical specialties Assembles and selects the correct sterilizing method for a variety of costly and delicate equipment such as flexible resectoscopes and other flexible and rigid endoscopes Tests instruments for functionality and assembles instruments in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines Selects appropriate methods for sterilizing, balancing time constraints with possible detrimental effects of quicker methods Independently prepares the full range of trays and sets necessary to be used in the wards, clinic areas, dental clinic, and surgery Updates trays and count sheets as needed Considers surgery schedules and Clinic schedules along with considering time factors for processing order to determine how many items to stock based on the turnaround time for processing, preparation, and frequency of use Effectively processes and sterilizes a wide variety of implant devices in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations and ensure that they are held for the required time post sterilization per regulations Responsible for the collection and receipt of all used soiled supplies, instruments, or equipment Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing and use of ultrasonic equipment Uses approved/recommended germicidal detergent to clean items that cannot be submerged Assumes leadership responsibilities to perform peer training as well as provide user training and instruction pertaining to correct operating and preventative maintenance procedures of medical equipment Regularly tests operations and cleaning of equipment for effectiveness of sterilization Monitors performance of sterilizers for quality control by conducting bacteriological tests (bacillusstearothermophitus spores for evaluation of steam and STERRAD sterilizers and bacillus subtillis for evaluation of gas sterilizers) Conducts daily biological monitoring on numerous different sterilizers throughout SPS Updates the documentation tracking system with results of biological tests Utilizes knowledge (of governing policies and regulating bodies) and experience to react to requests for emergent and/or urgent RME supply needs ensuring positive outcomes Utilizes knowledge of equipment, its use, and specific procedures to respond to inquiries about the equipment and potential equipment substitutions Uses computers to perform record keeping, tracking operations Processes emergent requests, prepares tray lists, and updates files as required Conducts inventory of all sterilized trays checking package integrity and expiration dates Work Schedule: 1400-2230 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Experience and/or Education: (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or (2) 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 (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Preferred Experience: Sterile Processing certification and 1 year experience or 2 to 5 years of Sterile Processing experience Grade Determination: GS-3 Experience, Education and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. GS:4: Six months specialized experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting OR, Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. (b) Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets. (c) Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. (d) Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. GS-5: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level OR, 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. (b) Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility. (c) Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. GS-6: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. (b) Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. (c) Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. (d) Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation. (e) Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. 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.
