Summary

The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (MST) (Sterile Processing) contributes to the oversight of all supervision - administrative management and direction of the Sterile Processing Service at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson - MS. This position is responsible for overseeing all decontamination - sterilization - and disposition of facility critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Devices (RMD).

Qualifications

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
• Experience and/or Education: Experience - Six months of experience that demonstrates the 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
• Grade Determinations: To qualify your resume must demonstrate you possess the required experience necessary to possess the Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) required for the grade as applicable
• Be specific when describing the job duties that demonstrate you possess the KSAs listed
• Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit
• Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) GS-06 (Full Performance Level) Experience Requirement: To qualify for the GS-06 you must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05)
• Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Removing soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids - and other containments by wiping - soaking - rinsing - and scrubbing
• Inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization - assembling basic sets and trays used throughout a medical facility including those used in the operating room
• preparing - loading - and operating sterilizers such as steam - Sterrad - Steris - ETO - and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor
• prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - you 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
• 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 GS-06
• 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
• Environmental Factors: On a regular and recurring basis - the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment
• The employee wears special clothing - hair covers - personal protective equipment and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warm
• The employee uses insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers
• The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items
• The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gases are unknown
• The employee often works around body fluids - mucous - excretions and bits of tissue - some of which may be foul smelling
• Strong - unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or reusable medical equipment
• The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments - rumbling of carts and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under CBST-12952199-26-SC The MST (Sterile Processing) disassembles the RMD and determines the correct cleaning method - such as - but not limited to - ultrasonic cleaners - mechanical washers/disinfectors - cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents - as determined by manufacturer instructions
• Duties of the Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) may include but are not limited to: Utilizes the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and follows processes and procedures for cleaning - disinfection - sterilization and preparation of RMD appropriate to this position
• Acts as expert in knowing what reusable instruments - equipment - medical devices or supplies are used (inventory) in their clinical area
• Completes the appropriate decontamination steps that must be taken prior to transport of item and the appropriate method of transport
• Follows the local Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) drafted in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendations
• Reprocesses RMDs in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendations
• Sterile Processing and Infection Control should be consulted when clarification of written instructions are needed
• Participates in documented training in the setup - reprocessing and maintenance of specific devices
• Suspends the reuse of any RMD if they suspect that the device was not properly cleaned - disinfected or sterilized according to the SOP and manufacturer's guidelines
• Performs the testing of critical and utility water on a daily basis as required
• Reviews hazardous materials/Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)/waste management
• Practices infection control practices for disease prevention (i.e
• hand washing - universal precautions/isolation procedures - including TB requirement/precautions)
• Occasionally travels away from the duty station to assist with Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) support during periods of required coverage
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday: 12:00pm-8:30pm - subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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 #: 586-01001F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized