The Medical Supply Technician will provide sterilization, preparation, supply items and reusable medical equipment decontamination and distribution support for the medical center. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-03 (Entry Level) Experience 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. 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. GS-05 (Developmental Level) Experience. One-year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade, GS-04, which included removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments from medical equipment, packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembling basic sets and trays used throughout a medical center including those used in the operating room, Preparing, loading and operating sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor, and preparing operating room case carts daily using surgery scheduleOR 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. GS-06 (Full Performance Level) Experience. One-year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade, GS-05, which included removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments from medical equipment, packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembling basic sets and trays used throughout a medical center including those used in the operating room, Preparing, loading and operating sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor, and preparing operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule?. 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. Grandfathering Provision. All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation as of 05/28/2014 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, APPENDIX G47 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standard GS-622, dated July 8, 2015. The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6. Physical Requirements: VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - a physical examination will be conducted based on the physical requirements of the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. ["Receives contaminated semi-critical and critical reusable medical devices (RMD) in the decontamination area. Disassembles the RMD and determines the correct cleaning method, such as, but not limited to, ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers/disinfectors, 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 high temperature (Steam), low temperature (i.e. Sterrad and Steris) and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all processes and equipment. Reusable Medical Devices: The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) as required by this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RMD 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. Reusable Medical Devices(RMD) is any medical equipment designed by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patients. All personnel who are involved in the reprocessing of RMD are responsible for knowing what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices or supplies are used (inventory) in their clinical area. All personnel who are involved with the use of RMD must be familiar with which items are reprocessed locally (on unit) and/or which items are sent to Sterile Processing for reprocessing and/or sterilization. If items are transported for reprocessing, personnel must be aware of the individual decontamination steps that must be taken prior to transport of item and the appropriate method of transport. All personnel who are involved in reprocessing of RMD are responsible for following the local Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) drafted in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendations. Sterile Processing and Infection Control should be consulted when clarification of written instructions are needed. No one should be reprocessing any reusable medical equipment based upon vendor's verbal instructions alone; this is not an adequate practice. All personnel that are in any way involved in the reprocessing of RMD must have documented training in the setup, reprocessing and maintenance of specific equipment. Validation of competency will be done according to national policy guidelines. All personnel that have the responsibility of reprocessing reusable medical equipment can suspend the reuse of any RMD if they suspect that the device was not properly cleaned, disinfected or sterilized according to the SOP and manufacturer's guidelines. Work Schedule: : Schedule Varies, Monday through Friday 7:00a - 3:30p, 3:30p-MID, MID-8:00a Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000, Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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