This is a Supervisory position in Sterile Processing Services, for Veterans Health Administration (VHA). located at the, New Jersey VAHCS. The Incumbent is responsible for the direct supervision of day-to-day operations in SPS, regardless of tour of duty, including Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) reprocessing for all clinical services. The Incumbent is under the supervision of the Assistant Chief, Sterile Processing Service. 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 in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. 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 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). Grade Determinations: GS-08 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds. Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed. Ability to oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RME. Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues. (c) Assignment. The Supervisory MST functions as a first-level supervisor responsible for the oversight of a group of MSTs, with administrative responsibility for planning and directing the work. Oversees attendance and leave, including approval of sick and annual leave and vacation schedules. Informs higher level management of anticipated vacancies or increases in workload. Recommends promotions, reassignments, recognition of superior performance, retention or release of probationary employees or other changes of assigned personnel. Holds corrective interviews with employees, referring disciplinary problems to higher levels of management. Resolves informal complaints of employees and deals with union representatives on personnel matters. Provides technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the organizational unit. References: Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: 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. Work Environment: This work is performed in various settings: intake, decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation), out take, 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 exposure to toxic and caustic chemicals, slips and trips, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. 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. If EtO is used, employees must be included in an exposure monitoring program managed by the VAMC Safety Manager. 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 cleaning, sterilizing, and high-level disinfecting equipment. ["Major duties but not limited:. Detailed knowledge of surgical instruments used in the operating room, clinic settings and dental operatories Will manage, interact, and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds, direct staff and manage tasks to be complete and oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RMD. Detailed knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. Detailed knowledge of sterility principles regarding instrumentation. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures Detailed knowledge of medical terminology to assemble specialty Operating Room, Clinic and Dental instrument sets. Detailed knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing to convey information and thoughts to others (Management and staff). Complete training coursework and VA SPS certification as required for a Sterile Processing Technician position in the VA. Maintain certification by completing approved, annual Continuing Education Units (CEU) and annual in-service hours. Maintain Continuing education units (CEU). CEU's are credits received for completing training and attending seminars directly related to a profession. One CEU is generally given for each hour of training or seminar attendance. SPS employees who are certified by a national organization must obtain annual CEU as set forth by their certifying body. All other SPS employees must obtain a minimum of 12 educational hours annually. Detailed knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as required by this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Competencies which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of RME appropriate to this position. The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RME appropriate to this position. Maintains review the medical facility's disaster plan, fire plan, and other policies and procedures for hazard communication upon initial employment and annually thereafter. Detailed knowledge of Attire. Each area within SPS has a dress code that must be strictly adhered to. The purpose of the dress code is to prevent cross-contamination and to protect the employee. Monitoring of proper work attire is a fundamental element of the SPS quality assurance program. Detailed knowledge of Safety: Attend monthly In-service education sessions focusing on the technical aspects of SPS. Duties as assigned. Infection Control: Maintains Hand hygiene practices before entering and leaving the work area, and whenever hands become soiled or contaminated and reinforce guidelines to staff. Is aware that PPE guidelines are clearly defined in the 1116 (2) and guides staff to that document for PPE decisions. Incumbent understands that false eyelashes may not be worn in any area of SPS. Knowledge of any jewelry including, but not limited to, facial or body piercings, earrings, necklaces, watches, bracelets, etc., which cannot be contained or confined within the SPS attire or covered must not be worn. Supervisory Controls: The employee has a supervisory role and serves under the supervision of the Assistant Chief Sterile Processing who establishes objectives and department priorities. The incumbent is expected to complete work assignments with relative independence and minimal guidance, personally setting the deadlines for work completion. He or she assumes responsibility in work assignments in accordance with regulations and independently resolves most conflicts by using considerable judgment and interpretation. Work is reviewed to ensure that overall objectives of the position are met. The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician reviews investigations of root causes of reported non-conformities through the e-QMS. Individual has responsibility for exercising independent judgement in the management of administrative controls, planning, training, including Quality Management, oversight of processing activities, ensuring competencies and directly all functional activities within SPS. Exercising independent judgement in all technical matters within the scope of SPS is essential, with that judgement based on expert knowledge of requirements and guidelines from VHA, Joint Commission, Healthcare Sterile Processing Association, Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, and others. Work Schedule: Compressed/Flexible: Not eligible Telework: Not eligible Functional Statement #: 21Q16-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not available Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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