Summary

This Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) position is in the Sterile Processing department at the White River Junction VA Medical Center - VT.

Qualifications

COVERAGE. The following are requirements for appointment as a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). These requirements apply to all VHA Medical Supply Technicians (Sterile Processing) (MSTs) in the General Schedule (GS)-0622 series.

Basic Requirements:

• a
• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• b
• Experience and/or Education (1) Experience
• Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work
• or (2) 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 (3) Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable
• c
• Certification
• None d
• Foreign Education
• To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs
• e
• English Language Proficiency
• MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook regulations
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS a
• Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current MST Practices
• To be creditable - the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSAs) associated with MST responsibilities
• Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as a MST
• (2) Quality of Experience
• Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MST experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher level duties must consist of significant scope - administrative independence - complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• (3) Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a MST is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek
• For example - a MST employed 20 hours a week - or on a 1/2-time basis - would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service
• b
• Grade Determinations
• The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-08 Lead 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: 1
• Ability to read and interpret written procedures and select appropriate action in order to instruct staff in correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments
• 2
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives - rules and regulations
• 3
• Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees - team leaders - and managers
• 4
• Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures
• 5
• Ability to lead individuals - manage priorities - and schedule work assignments
• (c) Assignment
• The Lead MST at this level oversees a work team that includes at least one MST position that is above the full performance
• Distributes and prioritizes workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations
• Assures an even distribution of the workload
• When necessary - revises work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload
• Assigns tasks as necessary to provide new employees with the experience and training required to perform decontamination of scopes and instrumentation in the work area
• Monitors and reports on the status of work
• Ensures SOPs and SPS mandates are followed during the performance of workflow
• Reviews or spot checks scope processing work to ensure completed work meets supervisors' instructions (e.g. - work sequences - procedures - methods - and deadlines)
• Assesses the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning - reprocessing - and distribution of scope medical equipment - material and instrumentation
• Provides information to management officials concerning performance issues - assignment changes and task completion
• Instructs employees on work-related activities - policies - procedures and goals
• Preferred Experience: Knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning - disinfection - and sterilization
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Former VA Handbook Reference: PART II APPENDIX G47 Effective Date: May 28 - 2014 Physical Requirements: May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment.

Duties

• The Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) at this level oversees a work team that includes at least one MST position that is above the full performance
• Distributes and prioritizes workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations
• Assures an even distribution of the workload
• When necessary - revises work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload
• Assigns tasks as necessary to provide new employees with the experience and training required to perform decontamination of scopes and instrumentation in the work area
• Monitors and reports on the status of work
• Ensures SOPs and SPS mandates are followed during the performance of workflow
• Reviews or spot checks scope processing work to ensure completed work meets supervisors' instructions (e.g. - work sequences - procedures - methods - and deadlines)
• Assesses the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning - reprocessing - and distribution of scope medical equipment - material and instrumentation
• Provides information to management officials concerning performance issues - assignment changes and task completion
• Instructs employees on work-related activities - policies - procedures and goals
• The incumbent is the Educator Medical Supply Technician (MST) - Sterile Processing Service (SPS) that 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 RMD appropriate to this position
• This includes integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission - vision - values - and strategic priorities throughout all WRJVAMC
• This position will require oversight on the development and coordination of all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) for all medical equipment at WRJVAMC
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m
• EST Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized 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) 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 #: 405-F08497 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Note: This position is not a Bargaining Unit position
• This position is covered by a special rate
• Narrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment
• Due to a critical staffing shortage - 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)
• The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 09/30/2026
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 04/10/2026 - with subsequent cut-off dates bi-weekly
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.