Duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
Medical Supply Aide and Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Supply-Aide-Career-Flyer.pd
List of Major Duties and Responsibilities of the position:
- Successfully evaluate work processes through fact-finding and investigative techniques.
- Analyze data and make recommendations to correct quality control problems.
- Adhere to Joint commission requirements by assessing compliance during quality assurance reviews of sterile processing operations and infection control procedures.
- Compile information, evaluate facts, document findings, and prepare reports
- Uses aseptic principles and techniques to maintain quality control, analyzing characteristics of various types of detergents, cleaning techniques, sterilizing mediums, and sterilizer operations.
- Assembles specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets.
- Uses basic principles of microbiology as they apply to medical supply operations as they relate to resistance of micro-organisms to external destructive agents such as heat, chemicals, and ionizing radiation.
- Uses advanced knowledge of hospital and clinical layout, staffing, and operation to Integrate the sterile supply operation into the total healthcare program.
- Identifies each distinct instrument between medical, dental, endoscopy and surgical.
- Practices theory, principles and techniques of aseptic principles to prevent the spread of infection by performing standard procedures for steam sterilization, hydrogen peroxide sterilization and the use of high level disinfectants.
- Performs quality assurance methods to evaluate the efficacy of the sterilizers, using biological spore challenges and interpretations of air removal test.
- Utilizes comprehensive understanding of regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines governing instrument and equipment cleaning, disinfection and sterilization.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Analyzes problems and presents both written and oral recommendations. Prepares and provides technical training all current and new staff.
- Routinely uses Microsoft word, Excel, and other software programs. Rocky Mountain Network Human Resources Title 38/Hybrid Title 38 Functional Statement NONEXEMPT 1272 X01 T1 623-54012-A
- Makes educated decisions on instrument substitutions as necessary in instrument trays. Assists clinical staff with substitutions during emergency requests.
- Using medical and surgical terminology, human anatomy, and physiology, technician will assist clinical staff on use of instrumentation.
- Ensures proper functioning of endoscopic, laparoscopic, and ultrasound equipment.
- Posses level II Sterile Processing VHA Certification and/or HSPA Certification.
- Incumbent is the subject Matter expert for their specialty areas of assignment.
- Incumbent serves as the trainer/educator for the RMD in their area of expertise.
- The incumbent cleans and assembles by selecting the correct sterilizing method for a variety of flexible colonoscopes, gastroscopes, and bronchoscopes.
- Responsible for the initial Standard Operating Procedures in their area of expertise and routinely updates staff of manufacturer instructions.
- Conforms to and ensures that all safety and infection control rules, regulations and requirements (e.g., dress code and traffic control procedures) in both the decontamination and preparation areas are followed by all personnel working in, or entering, the work area.
- Assists management team with tracer activity and inspections.
- Completes other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: 10:00am - 6:30pm Monday - Friday; with on-call rotation
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
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.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 623-53238-0
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
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:
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.)
Experience and/or Education. 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. None.
English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. 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 (Advanced Level) 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:
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.
Preferred Experience: Sterile Processing Experience and CRCST Certification.
This vacancy is being recruited above the full performance level. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.
References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/76 PART II APPENDIX G47
Physical Requirements: The employee usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another while performing duties. There is frequent requirement for lifting individual instruments or instrument trays weighing up to 45 pounds from just above the floor to waist level and occasional requirements for similarly lifting baskets weighing up to fifty pounds. The technician transports trays and equipment on carts that weigh up to 300 pounds when full. Employee must be acutely aware of safety requirements when moving these carts over slight rises such as door sills. Tension and stress are induced by the critical nature of producing work results on a preestablished time frame as well as in emergent situations. He/she must be able to read, write, and organize written material. Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 inches to a Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye 20/20 and 20/40 in the other. Full spectrum of color vision. Bilateral dexterity with the use of both hands. Reaching above shoulders, bending, twisting, stooping, squatting, lifting, pushing, pulling, and unencumbered ambulation are required for this position.
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Area of Consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies
4. All other applicants.
Note: Veteran's preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/20/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12751313.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.