SHSMD Career Center

The Lead MST works in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team. Distributes and prioritizes workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations. Assigns work to staff based on experience and training needs. Instructs employees on work-related activities, policies, procedures and goals. RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE AVAILABLE for this position To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/20/2023. 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: (1) Experience: Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; Examples of experience is receiving 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 reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. 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. English Language Proficiency. Lead MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, Preferred Experience: 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. Grade Determinations: GS-07 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) (a) Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Examples of specialized experience includes: Receiving 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 reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07. Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, sterile supply, and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The MST may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty, and poorly lighted. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for prolonged periods of time, frequent bending and stretching/reaching, walking, and pushing fully-loaded carts which must be negotiated up inclines and over rises, or positioning them. There are frequent trips throughout the facility picking up soiled items or delivering clean/sterile equipment. The employee usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another while performing duties. There is frequent requirement for lifting individual instruments, instrument trays, and items weighing up to 50 pounds from just above the floor to above the head. The technician transports trays and equipment on a variety of carts that may weigh several hundred pounds when full. Employee must be acutely aware of safety requirements when moving these carts as they have areas that extend outside the visible area that can cause harm to other staff or equipment. The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly, and assembly of instrumentation. Computer work and instrument sorting requires periods of intense visual concentration 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, shoe covers, and other appropriate personal protective equipment 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. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses are unknown. The employee often works around biohazard materials such as; body fluids, mucous, excretions, and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors may be encountered while decontaminating and disinfecting instrumentation or reusable medical equipment. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts, and operation of cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilization equipment. ["In this position, the employee will provide decontamination, preparation, sterilization, and distribution support of critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment for the medical center. The term reusable medical equipment as used in this functional statement refers to reusable items for patient care including basic instrumentation, equipment, instrument trays/sets, and various other items that could be processed or assembled through the decontamination and preparation areas of the Sterile Processing Service. The Lead MST will have extensive knowledge of the processes for reusable medical equipment (RME) as required by this position. The Lead MST will be required to learn, and maintain current knowledge of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, preparation, and sterilization of RME appropriate to this position. The Lead MST will demonstrate their ability to follow the directions of a written procedure in the processing of RME appropriate to this position. Complete training coursework and VA SPS certification as required for a Lead MST position in the VA. Maintain certification by completing approved, annual Continuing Education Units (CEU) and annual in-service hours. The employee will work as team member and Lead of other Medical Supply Technicians of varying experience to carry out the daily work utilizing written standard operating procedures and/or manufacturer's written instructions; in accordance with instructions, policies, procedures, directives, memoranda, previous training, or accepted/standard practices. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 2:00pm to 10:30pm Travel requirement: Not required Recruitment Incentive: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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