What are the responsibilities and job description for the Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
The position is in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Section 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 V AMHCS policy and VHA directive.
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Duties
This position is eligible for a Critical Skills Incentive in addition to regular Salary (CSI). Critical Skill Incentives are authorized for Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing), 0622 who are performing at the fully successful level or higher. The Critical Skills Incentive will be terminated on 9/21/2024.
This intermittent position will provide valuable support to help cover call outs and vacation time for Sterile Processing Service staff. The incumbent is responsible for providing reusable medical device support thru a variety of activities.
Major Duties:
Work Schedule: 0900-1700
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 512-23165-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May not be authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
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:
Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
GS-06 (Full Performance Level) Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)
Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/76 PART II APPENDIX G47 MAY 28, 2014.
Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the position include work assignments with long periods of standing, walking, pushing, lifting, bending, stretching. This position requires the ability to lift 50lbs. 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.
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.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
VA Maryland Health Care System
10 North Greene Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
US
The position is in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Section 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 V AMHCS policy and VHA directive.
Learn more about this agency
Help
Duties
This position is eligible for a Critical Skills Incentive in addition to regular Salary (CSI). Critical Skill Incentives are authorized for Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing), 0622 who are performing at the fully successful level or higher. The Critical Skills Incentive will be terminated on 9/21/2024.
This intermittent position will provide valuable support to help cover call outs and vacation time for Sterile Processing Service staff. The incumbent is responsible for providing reusable medical device support thru a variety of activities.
Major Duties:
- Operates as a liaison for Sterile Processing Service (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. He/she will notify the Chief of Sterile Processing Service /designee of any discrepancies.
- Inventories, replenishes shortages from sterile supply, maintains par levels, inspects for sterile 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 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 temperature, humidity and air flow of sterile storage areas.
- Adheres to facility regulations regarding application and removal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Performs daily housekeeping duties to ensure environment of care is maintained. Monitors storage areas for items of non-conformities such as cardboard boxes and RME stored on shelves with dust covers.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: 0900-1700
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 512-23165-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May not be authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.
Help
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.
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. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.)- 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.
Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
GS-06 (Full Performance Level) 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:
- 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
Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/76 PART II APPENDIX G47 MAY 28, 2014.
Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the position include work assignments with long periods of standing, walking, pushing, lifting, bending, stretching. This position requires the ability to lift 50lbs. 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.
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.
Read more
- Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
VA Maryland Health Care System
10 North Greene Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
US