Medical Supply Technician is a member of the nursing care team and is responsible for the decontamination and re-processing of all Reusable Medical Equipment (RME), while maintaining strict Infection Control guidelines. This position performs independently the full range of duties required to decontaminate, clean, sterilize, process, prepare, store, and distribute medical supplies and equipment used in all areas of the facilities.
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 or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. This is an entry level MST position. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. 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. 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. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. Assignment. This is a developmental level MST position. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). Completes segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center. Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes. Prepares operating room case carts. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. 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. 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. Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing. Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Prepares, loads, and operates sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocess or; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments. GS-06 (Full Performance Level) 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: 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. 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. Preferred Experience: None 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 include work assignments with long periods of standing, walking, pushing, lifting, bending, stretching. This position requires the ability to lift 501bs. 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 requests from operating room, clinics or nursing wards. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties include but not limited to: Sterile Storage and Distribution Receives, inspects and stores supplies received in SPS insuring that the correct item and quantity are accepted. Inventories, replenishes shortages from sterile supply, maintains par levels, inspects for sterility integrity of instrument sets and expendable items. 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. Adheres to facility regulations regarding application and removal of personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Coordinates the updating of the surgical case list used for assembling surgical case carts with the OR and SPS. Coordinates inventory receipts, inspection and storage of supplies in the sterile core area of the OR insuring that the correct item and quantity are issued, resolving any discrepancies that may occur. 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. 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, wards, clinics and special procedures which may encompass numerous different trays and sets, simple to complex sets. Inspect, identify and sort the instruments sets according to the size, weight and functional usage. 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 (SOP). Regularly performs quality control tests and documents the results on various types of sterilization equipment which may include steam sterilizers, hydrogen peroxide sterilizers, such as biological monitoring, quality checks for detergent dosing systems, vacuum air removal and sterilization agent penetration test. Performs functional tests, according to the manufacturer instructions as set forth in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Monitors and ensure limited use cycles are met according to the manufacturer instructions as set forth in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Assists with the coordination and updating of surgical case needs lists, set content listing, instrument management system database and manufacturer instructions. Decontamination 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. Operates, maintains and adjusts processing equipment such as but not limited to; ultrasonic cleaning machines, washer/ disinfectors, automatic endoscope reprocessors (AERs) and leak testers. 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. Transports soiled case carts from the OR, clinic or nursing wards decontamination rooms to the SPS decontamination area. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday plus on-call, as needed. 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 #: 23165-F