SHSMD Career Center

This is an advanced level position in Sterile Processing Service as a Medical Supply Technician (SP). The selected candidate will provide sterilization, preparation, supply items and reusable medical equipment (RME), decontamination and distribution support for the medical center. This will require the selectee to maintain current knowledge of the standard operating procedures which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME. 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. Education and/or Experience: (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides and 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. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. ***Preferred Experience: Those candidates with current certification in SPS either by VA Level II, The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM), or The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) are highly preferred. In addition, a minimum of three years strong diverse SPS experience, including endoscope reprocessing and assembly of complicated sets, also highly preferred. Grade Determination:GS-07 (Advanced Level) Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. 2. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure 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. Assignment. 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. Assures an even workflow and distribution of the workload. Revises work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload. Assigns work to staff based on experience and training needs. Monitors and reports on the status of work. Ensures SOPs and SPS mandates are followed during the performance of workflow. Reviews work in progress or spot checks work not requiring review to ensure completed work meets supervisors' instructions on such things as work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines. Assesses the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of technical 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/76, Part II, Appendix G47. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 lbs. and over; Heavy carrying, 45 lbs. and over; Straight pulling; Pushing; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking; Standing; Kneeling; Repeated bending; Climbing, legs only; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Environmental Factors: Outside and inside; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working closely with others. ["The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets used in the operating room and clinical setting including, but not limited to: open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy, thoracic and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room. Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment. Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines. Some of the duties include, but are not limited to: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in decontamination area. Disassembles 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 manufactures instructions. Inspects, prepares, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, plasma, hydrogen peroxide and high-level disinfection. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing and scrubbing using the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to avoid any cross contamination. Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization. Assembles basic and specialty instrument sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Primary duty location will be Lake Nona. The tour of duty will include various shifts; Monday to Friday 0700am-330pm, 3pm-1130pm, 11pm-0730am. Weekend in on call as night shift leaves at 0730am, holidays rotate. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Advanced Level Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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