Summary These 4 Advanced Medical Supply Technician positions are in the Sterile Processing Service Line, at the VA Medical Center, in West Haven Connecticut. Responsibilities The Advanced Medical Supply Technician (MST) is assigned to Sterile Processing Service (SPS) and provides safe efficient practices for decontamination, high level disinfection, instrument assembly and sterilization for all SPS. The Advanced MST supports SPS initiatives to meet the facility needs for critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RMD). Duties include but are not limited to: Decontamination of RMD: Collects, receives, decontaminates and inspects all soiled, instruments, equipment, and apparatus to include complex diagnostic equipment and medical apparatus; Ensures disassembly of removable parts to ensure RMD can be appropriately decontaminated to ensure all bioburden is removed. Completely and thoroughly disassembles and positions all parts of technical RME to ensure the removal of bioburden. Performs leak tests on flexible endoscopes to determine the integrity of the scope is intact prior to initiating the cleaning and high-level disinfection or terminal sterilization process. Operates decontamination equipment such as washer decontaminators, ultrasonic equipment, cart washers, automated electronic solution/dilution dispensers, and irrigators; Follows all manufacturers' instructions on cleaning/decontamination of RMD using department's Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and manufacturer guidelines. Sterilization: Inspects, assembles, packages, and sterilizes all trays, sets, and packs used for a variety of general and specialized medical and surgical procedures; Performs RMD integrity testing in accordance with the Quality Management Program (e.g. uses laparoscopic insulation tester, borescope @type channel checks, biological sterilizer testing, visual inspection and instrument integrity checks; Maintains records for all high level disinfect and sterilization that are processed including interpretation of all biological monitoring, minimum effective concentration levels (MEC), validation of monitoring results, and quality assurance checks to ensure parameters are met. Quality Assurance Support and Reports: Performs quality assurance activities including but not limited to monitoring biological and chemical indicators and integrators, Bowie dick tests, time/temperature graphs (if applicable), and ensuring appropriate RMD checks are performed and documented prior to and after sterilization or reprocessing; Performs other quality assurance activities including verifying accuracy of labeling, contents, cleanliness, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, work orders entered in computer, and sterilization parameters checks; Evaluates gathered data and based upon findings, makes recommendations to improve effectiveness or processes; Follows local Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) which are written in accordance with the manufacturers' written instructions for reprocessing RMD; Consults SPS leads or supervisor(s) when clarification of written instructions are needed; fully understands the reprocessing of reusable medical equipment is never based on vendors' verbal instructions, as this is not an adequate practice. May be assigned additional duties and to "on-call" tours and when called in must be able to work independently in performing all duties. Work Schedule-Full-Time, 40 hours a week, Various Tours and Duties. EST (1) Monday-Friday 3:00pm -11:30pm evening shift, every other Saturday 7:00am-3:30pm (2) Monday-Friday 11:00am -7:30pm split shift, every other Saturday 7:00am-3:30pm (3) Monday-Friday, 7:00am -3:30pm day shift, every other Saturday 7:00am-3:30pm (4 )Sunday-Friday 11:00pm -7:30am night shift, every other Saturday 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS F07991 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Notifications: This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies with various shifts,(Days, Evenings or Nights). Veterans' Preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. This position is in the Excepted Service. EDRP is not Authorized. This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit Position. This position is covered by a special rate. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and @type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. 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 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: (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. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). 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-07: Advanced Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-06. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate 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. Assignment. The Advanced MST 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 and operating room. Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RMD. Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment. 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. Preferred Experience: 2+ years of experience in Sterile Processing Experience Demonstrated ability with reprocessing flexible endoscopes, endoscopy certification preferred. 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-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 standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation, see VA Directive and Handbook 5019.. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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.
