Summary

The Syracuse VAMC is recruiting for a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing). The incumbent provides hospital facilities with reusable and disposable medical supplies - instruments and equipment. The incumbent specializes in but is not limited to inventory management - decontamination - packaging - sterilization and distribution of supplies - instruments and equipment which provide total supply support to all clinical areas of the medical center.

Qualifications

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
• recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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
• 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: (1) 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
• (2) 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
• (3) 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: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• 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: 1
• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination
• 2
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets
• 3
• Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment
• 4
• 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: 1
• Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings
• 2
• Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility
• 3
• 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
• 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: 1
• Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings
• 2
• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination
• 3
• Working knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy and physiology - microbiology - medical conditions and procedures
• 4
• Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation
• 5
• 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 re-processors
• Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment
• Preferred Experience: One year of SPS experience 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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. See Physical Requirements and Work Environment Below:

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties: Disassembles Supply Items Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings
• Properly disassembles supply items avoiding damage or unnecessary wear
• Independently determines appropriate methods - avoiding damage or undue wear
• Properly disassembles equipment - supply items and instruments avoiding damage or unnecessary wear following established procedures
• Provides guidance to lesser experienced staff and keeps the lead tech and SPD chief informed of their progress
• Cleans Supply Items Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination
• Removes gross contamination by soaking in a germicide - washing with a detergent-blood solvent - scrubbing with a brush - rinsing in tap water or washing in a washer-decontaminator or ultrasonic unit
• Decontaminates the full range of reusable medical supplies and equipment according to established procedures
• Uses selected methods for removing gross contamination
• Examines Condition of Supply Items Visually examines items for damage - deterioration - or imperfections such as rust - pitting - and cracks
• Operates medical equipment to determine whether it operates correctly after re-assembly
• Sends malfunctioning or damaged equipment to the equipment technician for repair
• Examines the full range of reusable medical supplies and equipment according to established procedures
• Uses selected methods to test or visually inspect items for damage or wear
• Assembles/Packages/Wraps/Sterilizes Supply Items Knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy and physiology - microbiology - and medical conditions and procedures in order to package individual items or assemble items into sets or trays
• Attaches chemical indicator tape and sterilizes according to guidelines
• Sterilizes items comparing control tests to determine that correct parameters (e.g
• time - temperature - and pressure) were obtained
• Reads and interprets written instruction and procedures to prepare the full range of trays and sets
• Removes trays of instruments from pre-sterilizing equipment - inspects items to be sure that gross contamination has been removed
• Sorts the instruments by size and type - and re-assembles trays and sets based on recognition of key items or inventory needs
• Uses care in packing to protect points - cutting edges and delicate instruments and to insure effective penetration of sterilizing medium
• Monitors and documents the operation of the sterilizers with prescribed tests and reports any unusual readings to lead tech and chief of SPD
• Removes carts and packages from the sterilizers when the cycle is completed
• Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization
• Aerates gas-sterilized packages for appropriate times
• Labels items to show date of sterilization and shelf-life
• Provides medical supply items to users
• Monitors and documents biological indicators - chemical indicators - bowie dick tests and examines equipment printouts to assure that all sterilization parameters have been met prior to release to end user
• Distributes Supply Items to Wards - Clinic Units or Operating Rooms Distributes items according to established requirements - special requests or as requested
• Fills requests for items based on daily schedules of needs or on individual requisitions
• Performs daily inventories of wards or units supply areas and replenishes to appropriate stock levels
• Consults with customers on items in short supply or out of stock - recommending possible substitutions keeping the inventory management staff informed
• Assembles and sends case carts to the operating room utilizing picking tickets and checklists
• Reports outages and deficiencies to lead tech and SPD chief
• Gathers and reports QA data to Chief of SPD
• Assists with quarterly and annual inventory
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Day Shift Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #: 13641-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized