Summary This position is located within the Sterile Processing Service in the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. Sterile Processing covers five locations including, Gainesville Medical Center, Lake City Medical Center, Jacksonville Outpatient Center (JOPC), Tallahassee Health Care Center (THCC), and the Villages Outpatient Center (TVOPC). Responsibilities Lead Medical Supply Technician working with the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) staff as a resource for daily operation routines, training, and problem solving while assisting the Supervisors with oversight, quality assurance, and compliance. The Lead Technician is competent in all areas of SPS including Decontamination, Preparation, Cool Room, Center Core, and endoscope reprocessing including High Level Disinfection. SPS practices and processes are based on VHA Handbooks and Directives, Industry Standards (AAMI, AORN, IAHCSMM) and manufacturer instructions for use. The Lead Technician duties include but are not limited to: Must be able to understand references and how to research standards and guidelines for best practices as well as develop a plan to assist in implementation. Quality Control in SPS requires all staff to visually inspect and test instruments and equipment for function and quality Assist in proactively assessing the instrument sets prior to release to the clinical service. Instruments that are not appropriate for use processed for replacement or repair Ensure the volume, quality, and needs of instruments for the end-user are managed appropriately. Loaner sets come in to the service and must be checked for accuracy and cleanliness and should be accompanied with proper count sheets and manufacturer cleaning guidelines; Assisting the Supervisor. Front-line problem-solving Responsible for ensuring safety, quality, and staffing issues are properly communicated with the Supervisor so they can be researched and corrected. Responsible for following departmental procedures to have repairs completed and communicating the status of the repairs with the service. The Lead Technician is a critical role in the chain of command for SPS and the final product to be used on a patient. This role requires the incumbent to be independent self-starters who can foster frontline staff with training, competence, and mentoring. Preferred Experience: SPS background required, National Certification Preferred (CRCST, CSPDT). Knowledge of current sterile processing medical supply tech (MST) practices. Work Schedule: 7:00 pm - 3:30 am rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. Education and/or Experience: (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides and 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 in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Preferred Experience: National Certification Preferred (CRCST, CSPDT). Grade Determinations: GS-07 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. 2. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. 3. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. 4. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures. 5. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments. References: VA Handbook 5005/76, Part II, Appendix G47. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 lbs. and over; Heavy carrying, 45 lbs. and over; Straight pulling; Pushing; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking; Standing; Kneeling; Repeated bending; Climbing, legs only; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Environmental Factors: Outside and inside; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working closely with others. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.