Summary

The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing Service) [SPS] is a direct report to the Chief of SPS of the Central Virginia VA Health Care System - Fredericksburg Health Care Center - a Complexity 1A facility. This is the full performance level for the occupation.

Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Regulations
• Grade Determinations: GS-6 Experience: Must have at least one year of experience at the next lower grade (GS-5)
• Specialized experience may include: Experience with contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area
• Ability to 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 - and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings
• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination
• Working knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy and physiology - microbiology - medical conditions and procedures
• Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures
• Preferred Experience: Endoscope experience
• CRCST or CBSPD certification
• Instrument tracking experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination - preparation - clean sterile Supply - and in other services throughout the medical facility that SPS supports
• The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot - cold - drafty and poorly lighted
• The employee is subject to the possibility of falls - scrapes - cuts - bruises - and other Injuries from material handling equipment
• The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds)
• The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating - disassembly and assembly of instrumentation
• 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 - personal protective equipment and shoe covers 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 hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses are unknown
• The employee often works around body fluids - mucous - excretions and bits of tissue - some of which may be foul smelling - Strong - unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or reusable medical equipment
• The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments - rumbling of carts and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RMD in decontamination area
• Disassembles the RMD 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 manufacturers' instructions
• Inspects - prepares - assembles - and determines the correct packaging and method of sterilization - to include but not limited to the following: steam - low temperature sterilization - and high-level disinfection
• Manually removes debris - soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids - and other contaminants by wiping - soaking - rinsing - brushing - flushing - and scrubbing
• Performs quality audits on critical and semi-critical RMD for indications of proper cleaning - assembly - and sterilization
• Assembles RMD sets and trays used throughout the facility - including those used in the operating room and clinics
• Operates equipment in all areas of sterile processing
• Performs and documents daily operational checks on all sterilization and decontamination equipment
• Demonstrates appropriate knowledge and skill in assembly of trays and peel packs - to include identification of contents - internal chemical indicators - lot control numbers - wrapping - labeling and methods of sterilization
• Monitors and documents all required information for each sterilization and disinfection load and sterilizer
• Participates in the department Quality Improvement Plan - as needed
• Quality Improvement responsibilities include but are not limited to - biological spore testing - efficacy testing - and documenting results of all sterilization and high-level disinfection methods and testing
• Appropriately handles and transports all sterilized items when placing them in storage and identifies any breaks in the integrity of the package
• Re-stocks shelves in sterile storage and other areas to maintain defined PAR levels of all supplies - instrument trays - and other items maintained in inventory
• Uses proper procedure to assemble case carts according to surgical schedule and procedure specific preference cards
• Transports clean and soiled case carts between procedural areas and Sterile Processing
• Transports additional instrumentation as needed
• Maintains cleanliness and appropriate supply levels at workstations in all areas of department
• Participates in orientation of new sterile processing personnel
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - Hours to be determined Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000