The Lead Medical Supply Technician (MST) works in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team and provides service for decontamination, processing and packaging of instruments, equipment, and reusable medical equipment. Primary focus is in a central sterile department setting and prioritizes workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specialization. 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. 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. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the US must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials an such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional US programs.; 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). Grade Determinations: GS-07 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Required Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, Applicants must meet one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6. The one year of GS-6 level experience includes, but not limited to: Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others. Assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the 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. Do you have 1 year of next lower grade GS-7 level experience? In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 1. Ability to interact with individuals of varying backgrounds in order to assess the needs of the department. 2. Ability to coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely fashion. 3. Ability to interpret and apply sterile processing/infection prevention regulations and policies. 4. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment. 5. Ability to initiate and lead interdisciplinary groups in carrying out sterile processing functions. Preferred Experience: N/A References: References: VA Handbook 5005/76, Part II, Appendix G47 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: The incumbent usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another while performing duties. Is frequently required to lift packages weighing 50 pounds, and regularly pushes carts weighing up to 300 pounds for distances up to 2640 feet. ["Serves as the monitoring specialist for all activities of SPS, which includes the instrument tracking and management system Monitors the process of cleaning/decontamination, sterilization, reprocessing, and distribution of critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) Develops procedures to evaluate the quality of work performance and outcomes as it relates to the quality assurance program Maintains as system of internal and external reviews ensuring overall compliance of all critical and semi?critical RME used within TVHS Tracks and analyzes required documentation pertaining to critical, and semi-critical within the scope of SPS for quality control purposes and utilizes qualitative analysis tools to prepare reports for trending, evaluate operations and facilitate improvements in workflow and quality processes Troubleshoots computer programs related to SPS operations and trains staff on the inputting of data associated with the cleaning and sterilization of equipment, biological processing, and quality assurance programs Responsible for developing formal and informal written plans for the ITS and QA programs, in compliance with accreditation organizations and VHA-specific requirements Trains staff on SPS procedures and operations of SPS functions Develops, monitors, and revises SPS educational programs for both new and existing staff, documents and assesses staffs training, to identify areas of strength and need and develops an education plan Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 7:30am-4pm (or needed by service; weekend on call as needed is expected) Telework: not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
