SHSMD Career Center

The Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) interprets and follows the policies and procedures of the SPS Service to maintain standards for the practice of all services and care lines and contributes to the fulfillment of the mission of the clinical areas. They are required to have a broad knowledge of; and skill in applying, a wide range of sterilization and decontamination techniques, microbiology, quality control, and distinguishing between various medical/surgical instruments. 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. Education 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. Certification: Preferred but not required. 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: 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: 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 of reusable medical devices (RMD) including endoscopes, high-level disinfection and sterilization procedures. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments based on end-users needs/requirements of RMD. Preferred Experience: 3-5 years' experience working in Sterile Processing Service in a Hospital/Medical setting: supervisory experience preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II Appendix G47 Physical Requirements: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. ["Leads a unit or team of employees performing work at the GS-6 level or below. Provides guidance and technician direction for accomplishing the work of the unit or team. Works with the Chief and Assistant Chief, SPS, in the assignment of functions to team members to meet routine and unusual deadlines and priorities. Distributes and balances workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established workflow, job specialization and/or capabilities of individual. Responsible for filling in and for distributing the workload in case of personnel shortages or short notice priorities ensuring a smooth workflow. Ensures timely accomplishment of assigned tasks and ensures that each employee has enough work to keep busy. When necessary, revises work schedule to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload. Assigns work to employees or assigns employees to position. Breaks out tasks as necessary to provide new employees with the experience and training required to perform the task. Assigns work, including overtime, disagreeable or choice tasks, etc., equitably among employees. Explains work requirements, methods, and procedures, as needed, giving special instructions on difficult or different operations, and answering technical questions about the task. Monitors status and progress of work and makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities. Maintains a current knowledge and answers questions of other employees relating to procedures, policies, and directives. Trains or arranges for the training of team members in the accomplishment of tasks or projects. Gives on-the-job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices. Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, checking on work in progress and reviewing completed work to see that the supervisor's instructions on priorities, methods, deadlines, and quality assurance have been met. Obtains assistance and/or needed information from the supervisory staff on problems that may arise or backlogs that cannot be disposed of promptly. Refers questions or matters not covered by standards and problems in meeting performance standards to the supervisory staff. Checks the cleaning, reprocessing and distribution of technical medical equipment, material and instrumentation as deemed appropriate to assess the quality and quantity of work produced by each employee. Ensures that items are safe to use, delivered on time at the proper place, and in the correct condition to be properly used for VA patient care. Monitors working conditions such as seating, ventilation, lighting, or safety. Informs employees about the policies, procedures, and goals of the service as they relate to the work of the unit and changes thereto. Reports to the supervisor on performance, progress, and training needs of employees, and on behavior problems. Informs supervisor of employees' participation, suggestions, and reactions. Resolves simple, informal complaints of employees and refers others, such as formal grievances and appeals, to the supervisor or an appropriate management official. Conducts and records competencies on individuals for the proper reprocessing of RME, following established checklists devised by supervisory staff and approved by Infection Control. Performs quality assurance inspections of instruments and equipment in the Sterile Preparation area of SPS prior to items being wrapped and sterilized. Conducts inspection of the Decontamination area of SPS to verify that proper techniques and processes are being followed by staff and that all equipment is working properly. Inspects to verify that all instrumentation is disassembled to the simplest form. Inspects all instrumentation for cleanliness and to assure that it is in good working order, checking lock boxes, alignment, sharpness, and general operation. Independently prepares the full range of trays and sets necessary to be used in wards, clinic areas, dental clinic and OR. Collects contaminated case carts and reusable medical equipment (RME) instruments from operating rooms as well as other clinics as required. Effectively processes and sterilizes a wide variety of instrumentation, to include implant devices, in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations, and ensures that they are held for the required time post sterilization per regulations. Adheres to all ISO 9001 requirements, ensures all eQMS data is correctly entered each day. Utilizes Censitrac or other instrument tracking system in all aspects of RME reprocessing. Works in collaboration with RME Coordinator/Educator to maintain ISO effectively and efficiently and eQMS VISN compliance. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time, Mon-Fri, 2pm-10:30pm; possible off-shift as needed for department or emergent needs. Orientation will be daytime 8a-4:30p until orientation period ends Virtual: Not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 37285F"]

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