Summary

The Advanced Medical Supply Technician supports all clinical services provided within the two divisions - both in the surgical suites and outpatient areas. The Advanced MST is responsible for the care and attention to detail that are critical at this level of performance and supervision by qualified staff is of the utmost importance.

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
• Experience: Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicants ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work
• OR Education: One year above high school that included at least six (6) semesters hours in health care related courses such as sterile processing - nursing assistant - hospital corpsman - and operating room and surgical technician 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)
• GS-07 Medical Supply Technician (Advanced Level) - Sterile Processing Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6)
• Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Receiving contaminated critical and semi-critical RMD in the decontamination area
• disassembling the RMD and determining 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
• inspecting - assembling and determining the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam - Sterrad - Steris - ETO - and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors
• performing and documenting daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - you must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• Assignment
• The Advanced Medical Supply Technician 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 RMD
• 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The position requires long periods of standing - walking - bending and lifting
• The incumbent usually stands and moves from one part of the department to another
• There is a frequent requirement for lifting baskets of stainless steel instruments weighing in excess of 25 pounds from floor level to chest level
• Dexterity and strength are required for lifting and positioning RMD
• The incumbent regularly pushes loaded carts weighing several hundred pounds and loads the into elevators and through entryways
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and be able to shift priorities based on needs.

Duties

• The Advanced Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) is in support of all clinical services provided within the two divisions - both in the surgical suites and outpatient areas
• Care and attention to detail are critical at this level of performance and supervision by qualified staff is of the utmost importance
• The incumbent must demonstrate a knowledge of all surgical instruments used in the operating room and procedural settings
• Major Duties include - but are not limited to: Receive contaminated critical and semi-critical RMD (Reusable Medical Devices) in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well
• Perform and document daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment Inspect - assemble and determine the correct method and packaging for sterilization
• Review mechanical processes to ensure the items have completed their processes - and troubleshoots any errors that occur during decontamination
• Determines the type of tray or set to assemble based on the procedure - operating room requests or standard practice
• Corrects issues and reprocesses RMD as needed
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday
• 8-hour rotating shifts Compressed/Flexible: Not available Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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