Summary This is a Full Performance Level Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Medical Supply Technician (MST) Position. The Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Section is under the Associate Director for Patient Care Service. This position level SPS MST is a member of the nursing care team and is responsible for the decontamination and re-processing of all Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) at VAMHCS, while maintaining strict Infection Control guidelines as determined by VAMHCS policy and VHA directive. Responsibilities Major Duties may include but not limited to; Sterile Storage and Distribution: Operates as a liaison for SPS to patient wards, clinical areas, procedure areas, and operating room. The employee is required to effectively communicate accurate information to numerous professional personnel such as Nurses, Technicians and medical staff, insuring that RME is available and ready for use always. Receives, inspects and stores supplies received in SPS insuring that the correct item and quantity are accepted. Notifies the Chief of SPS/designee of any discrepancies. Inventories, replenishes shortages from sterile supply, maintains par levels, inspects for sterility integrity of instrument sets and expendable items. Rotates inventory, restocks outdated supplies, and maintains stock levels of surgical supplies and equipment for wards, clinics, and the operating room on a first in, first out basis (FIFO). Maintain the cleanliness of storage of RME by the cleaning of bins and shelves as set by policy. Initiates requests for items from wards, clinics, and the operating room based on the daily schedule of needs or individual requisitions. Performs quality assurance inspections on sterilized RME prior to issue, such as dryness, expiration date, control number, package integrity and labels. Monitors storage areas for items of non-conformities such as corrugated cardboard boxes and RME stored on shelves with dust covers. Prepares individual surgical case carts with required instruments and surgical supplies for each scheduled and emergency operative procedure. Monitors the OR Sterile Core area, where supplies and equipment are stored, insuring that this area is properly maintained in an orderly fashion and that quality control standards are strictly adhered. Operates automation equipment to prepare, store, retrieve or process information. Accepts accountability for the transport, tracking, and return of items at storage locations. Preparation and Sterilization: Performs daily housekeeping duties of workstations daily to ensure environment of care is maintained. Utilizes an instrument management system to assemble and provide a full range of instrument trays and sets for the OR, ward, clinics and special procedures which may encompass numerous different trays and sets, simple to complex sets. Inventories and coordinates the replacement of missing instruments on sets and trays, according to the sets instrument listing sheet (Count Sheet). Will inspect, identify and sort the instruments/sets according to the size, weight and functional usage. The technician will reassemble and inspect instruments/sets for damage, cleanliness, completeness and usability of materials, according to the manufacturer instructions as set forth in the Standard Operating Procedures. Decontamination: Adheres to facility regulations regarding application and removal of Personal Protective Equipment. Collects and/or receives; cleans and decontaminates a full range of reusable supplies and RME used on nursing units, clinics, OR and Special Procedures units. SPS MST sorts RME and materials by the method of processing, inspects RME for any damage prior to processing, disassembles for cleaning RME with multiple parts, according to the manufacturer instructions as set forth in the Standard Operating Procedures SPS MST operates, maintains and adjusts processing equipment such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaning machines, washer/disinfectors, automatic endoscope reprocessors (AERs) and leak testers. Follows the SPS Infection Control guidelines as they pertain to inspecting, collecting and transporting of infectious materials, are monitored during daily soiled supply and equipment collection activities, including isolation bagging procedures for reprocessing materials. Monitors SPS infection control guidelines as they pertain to the separation of soiled and cleaned/sterile activities and areas within SPS processing section during daily work activities. Is charged with the responsibility of bringing infection control problems to the attention of the Chief, SPS and reporting any infection control problems encountered during daily work activities outside the SPS section through channels to the infection control nurse. Provides to Chief of SPS/designee specialized cleaning and decontamination information on specialized surgical instruments and equipment. Transports soiled case carts from the OR, clinic or nursing wards decontamination rooms to the SPS decontamination area. Exposed to and applies the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Federal Drug Administration standards as they pertain to sterile processing and the distribution of medical supplies. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. 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 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: Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's 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. Certification: None. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. 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). Grandfathering Provision: All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-03 (Entry Level) Experience and/or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04 (Developmental Level) 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, 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. AND, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. GS-05 (Developmental Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; OR, 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. AND, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. GS-06 (Full Performance Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade levels. 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 regards to instrumentation. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Preferred Experience: Experience and knowledge of Sterile Processing Equipment. Experience with dental and surgical instruments and their requirements for cleaning and sterilization. Knowledge of the differences between Clean, High Level Disinfection and Sterilization Methods. 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. Physical Requirements: 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 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. 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.