This position is located in the Sterile Processing Service, James J. Peter VA. The assignment involves receiving and reprocessing Reusable Medical Equipment which will be used by various customers within the medical center for scheduled or emergency procedures. Assignment also includes advising surgical teams and other customers on the availability and time required to provide specific instrumentation which has a direct effect on surgical and ambulatory care procedure outcome and patient safety 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. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Certification. None. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. Knowledge of sterility principles in regard to instrumentation. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Assignment. This is the full performance level for the occupation. Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. Disassembles the RME and determines 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. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high-level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Physical Requirements: Most of the work requires physical strain to include walking, grasping, lifting and carrying different sizes and weights of instrument sets. The employee is subject to the possibility of exposure to hazardous and caustic chemicals, slips, trips, and 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. Incumbent is often required to push and pull carts loaded with heavy instrument sets. Required to work around very hot equipment. Much of the work is performed in tiring positions, such as standing, stooping, loading, etc., while performing many repetitive motions. Heavy loaded carts are often maneuvered over rises and doorsills as well as around fellow staff members. Required to move instruments, sterilization carts and clinic instruments around a department with limited space. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/76 PART II APPENDIX G47 ["Receives a variety of reusable medical equipment (simple to complex) from the Perioperative Patient Care Center (i.e., OR, GI/Endoscopy, and IR), including inpatient and ambulatory care clinics. Sorts and disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination solutions, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, hydrogen peroxide gas (Sterrad/V-PRO), ethylene oxide gas (ETO), and automated endoscope (AER) for high level disinfecting endoscopes. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization and high-level disinfection equipment. Routinely inspects trays and single instruments stored in the sterile storage room for breaches in integrity. A basic understanding of Medical and Surgical Terminology, therapeutic procedures and of human anatomy and physiology. Be trained to ascertain and verify that all non-biological implants coming into the Medical Center are sterile/ sterilized before being delivered to the clinical staff by having them go through SPS for inspection and/or sterilization. Knowledgeable of trays and supply requirements for all surgical procedures to facilitate procedures for case carts in the Operating Room. The incumbents will use our Instrument tracking system (Censitrac) to log and track each piece of instrumentation that undergoes the process of cleaning and sterilization. The incumbents will document and maintained records information for each process as indicated. The incumbents must be proficient and knowledgeable in the cleaning, sterilization, and assembly of minor and complex trays. Must be knowledgeable of High-Level Disinfection methods available in the facility. Assigned Tasks: Enters temporary work orders (TWOR) Maintain individual workstations in the Preparation room and Decontamination room Performs daily environmental cleaning duties in all assigned work areas. Routinely cleans storage shelves, cabinets, and surfaces of workstations/tables at the end of each shift and as needed, and cleans all sterilizers weekly Routinely utilizes SharePoint system to locate manufacturer instructions, standard operating procedures, upload intake count sheets, upload training documents and CEU's, and enters nonconformities Routinely operates reprocessing equipment including monitoring and documenting load/cycle information Prepares individual surgical case carts with required instrumentation and surgical supplies for scheduled and emergency procedures based on procedure guides and availability of supplies Identifies damaged or missing instruments and if available, replaces to ensure tray or cassette is complete Assists with training of new employees Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:00am-3:30pm- and 3:00pm-11:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21Q57-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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