Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Description:

This is a full performance level sterile processing service supply technician SPS, MST position. This position level MST is a member of the nursing care team and is responsible for the decontamination and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment at VAMCHS while maintaining strict infection control guidelines as determined by VAMCHS policy and VHA directive.

Requirements:

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 2 (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
• Certification -None

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-03 (Entry Level) (a) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04 (Developmental Level). (a) Experience. Six months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; or (b) Education. Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. NOTE : Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or nursing assistants obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces, the U.S. Maritime Service, or hospitals under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to 6 months of experience.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
2. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.
3. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.

GS-05 (Developmental Level) (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; or (b) Education. 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.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
2. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility.
3. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment

GS-06 (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
2. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
3. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures
4. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

Preferred experience: Knowledge of Surgical Instruments, Reprocessing experience with flexible endoscopes, Experience with real time instrument tracking systems such as Censitrac.

Preferred certification : Registered Central Service Technician.

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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.

Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the position include work assignments with long periods of standing, walking, pushing, lifting, bending, stretching. This position requires the ability to lift 50 pounds. The incumbent may at times be required to climb up and down a step stool in the work area. Work days may be extended without notice by emergency RME request from operating room, clinics or nursing wards.