Summary The Eastern Oklahoma VA Healthcare System seeks a Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) for the Sterile Processing Service. The Lead MST distributes and prioritizes workload, monitors work status, and ensures SOP compliance. Duties include assessing work quality, training staff on reprocessing reusable medical equipment (RME), assembling complex instrument sets, troubleshooting equipment, and ensuring proper sterilization methods, all contributing to veteran health and safety. Responsibilities Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Tulsa (James Mountain Inhofe VAMC) - https://youtu.be/3fMEu0iS7_Q?si=Y5RtGcnKKbJGxxk6 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Serves as the trainer/educator for all RME. Receives, disassembles, and inspects reusable medical, dental, and surgical instruments and equipment for damage. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other gross contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing, and using ultrasound equipment. Loads and operates washer disinfector, cart washer, and sterilizers. Removes items from washer/disinfector and determines the @type of tray or set to assemble based on recognition of key items and the operating room and clinic schedules. Examines items to ensure that gross contamination has been removed. Assembles sets and trays by selecting the appropriate tray, lining it with a towel, and arranging instruments in the tray correctly. Must assemble a full range of sets and trays used throughout the medical center, including those used in the operating room. Assembles delicate microsurgical sets such as micro-surgical ear set, ear-nose-throat (ENT), plastic surgery, micro-surgical eye instruments, etc. Assembles and selects the correct sterilizing method for a variety of costly and delicate equipment such as flexible colonoscopies, flexible gastroscopes, bronchoscopes, Choledochoscopes, Resectoscope, and other flexible and rigid endoscopes. Selects the correct sterilizing medium and cycles and operates the sterilizer. Monitors the operation of the sterilizer with prescribed tests. Disassembles, leak tests, manually cleans, brushes, aspirates, and flushes numerous flexible endoscopes; High Level Disinfects and/or sterilizes according to user needs and strictly adhering to the manufacturer's guidelines. Properly loads and operates sterilizers such as steam, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, and a high-level disinfecting scope re-processor. Monitors the performance of sterilizers for quality control by conducting bacteriological tests (bacillus stearothermophilus spores for evaluation of steam and bacillus subtilis for evaluation of hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizers). Handles sterilized trays, sets, and packs from sterilizers. Includes a chemical sterilization indicator in each item or package before sterilization and places sterilizer tape on the outside of each item/package. Places a written date and control number on each sterilized item indicating the sterilization date. Stocks sterile items on shelves or delivery carts on a first-in, first-out basis for rotation. Receives periodic training on new surgical supplies, instruments, and equipment through scheduled training sessions, webinars, lectures, demonstrations, and keeping abreast of new developments and techniques by reading sterilization periodicals and literature. Provides training and orientation to medical personnel on sterile supply techniques and procedures. Works independently throughout the Medical/Surgical clinics and operating rooms. Accommodates special and emergent requirements through consultation and coordination with medical/surgical professional staff. Responsible for protecting data from unauthorized release or loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletions. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release or access codes, etc., as per a signed computer access agreement. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) courteously, tactfully, and respectfully. Provides the customer with consistent information per established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 3:00pm; on-call required on a weekly rotating basis, including weekends and holidays. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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 #: 623-53238-A 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. 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 Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. BASIC REQUIREMENTS. 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.) 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. Certification. None. Grandfathering Provision. 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). 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. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-07 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This vacancy is above the full performance level. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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 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.
