Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Job in Fort Harrison, MT

Vacancy No. CBSU-12741644-25-TK Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $64,019.00 to $83,229.00 Grade 7 to 7
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 5/30/2025 Close Date 6/9/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Fort Harrison, MT


Summary

The Lead MST works in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team. Provides comprehensive technical support of the IMS (Instrument Management Systems) known as Censitrac and temperature/humidity monitoring systems TempTrak. Assists in the orientation and training, for the Sterile Processing Department personnel of Censitrac and TempTrak.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is only open to current Facility employees.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Functions/Duties

  • Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the goals and function of Sterile Processing, and the role of an effective tracking system contributes to a successful department.
  • Uses knowledge to demonstrate excellent customer services to internal or external customers.
  • Develops and reviews policies and procedures that impact Censitrac and TempTrak.
  • Presents improvements of the system to the Management and seeks approvals for changing SOPs.
  • Recommend amendments for procedures as new technology creates change.
  • Performs data entry for new instrument sets, equipment, and procedural trays and temperature monitoring.
  • Uses a consistent format and naming nomenclature for instrumentation and containers.
  • Tracks additions, modifications and deletions made to instrument set count sheets.
  • Changes should be trended to see who is requesting the change, the reason for the change, and if there are any repetitions over time.
  • Assists in the development of a disaster plan downtime procedures for Censitrac, TempTrak, sterilization equipment, and other systems related to the data that is captured in the tracking system.
  • Run routine administrative reports and provide to the Chief and Assistant Chief SPS and the Reusable Medical equipment Coordinator, relating to new users added to the system, changes in access level for current user, Date of last log on, Unsuccessful log on attempts (identifying potential for PW hacking or use of another's profile).
  • Assists in developing staff competencies for the effective and proper use of Censitrac.
  • Serves as department hardware/software and TempTrak support representative by identifying department needs and by ensuring highest level of performance.
  • Works with Facility IT and Biomed to create a middle layer of troubleshooting administration unless hardware related.
  • Works with Censis Technologies, Inc and TempTrak in troubleshooting documentation issues or system performance issues.
  • Attend the CtUC annual conferences as budget allows. Attendance to the conference should be no less than every other year.
Directs and Organizes
  • In collaboration with the Manager, directs the overall activities of Censitrac and TempTrak.
  • Assists the department Educator for orientation, training and ongoing changes as new features are added.
  • Collaborates with other departments to ensure the appropriate professional standards are consistently applied in the sterile processing department. E.g. OSHA, JCAHO, CDC, AAMI, etc.
  • Maintains systems competency as required to perform duties.
  • Train and manage staff assigned to instrument marking, substitute approvals and data entry to the system.
  • Orient new employees to the departments RMD and temp/humidity tacking systems and In-services all staff on proper function of instrumentation tracking and temperature monitoring system.
  • Research, plan and implement new functionality to all shifts, receives, analyzes and resolves all day to day user questions concerning system processing and performs system file maintenance, digital images for individual instruments or sets. Uploads media of all types for the enhancement of accuracy for set assembly, special testing, preventative maintenance.
  • Maintains open and honest channel of communication with user departments, supervisor, peers and other staff.
  • Actively troubleshoots system problems and accessory equipment.
  • Reports problems to Information Services department and follows up with systems vendor for resolution.
Reusable Medical Devices (RMD)
  • Have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) as required by this position.
  • Required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of RMD appropriate to this position.
Work Schedule: To Be Determined by the Service.
Compressed/Flexible:Available
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
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)
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 #: 436-56429-O
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.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • 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: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part)

English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Experience and/or Education:
  1. Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an 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.
Certification: None.

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-7 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

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:
  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.
Preferred Experience: Develops and reviews policies and procedures that impact Censitrac and Temptrak. Presents improvements of the system to the Management and seeks approvals for changing SOP's. Recommend amendments and procedures as new technology creates change. Performs data entry for new instrument sets, equipment, and procedural trays and temperature monitoring. Uses a consistent format and naming nomenclature for instrumentation and containers. Tracks additions, modifications and deletions made to instrument set count sheets. Run routine administrative reports and provide to the Chief and Assistant Chief SPS. Other duties as assigned.

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-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.

Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. 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. Th employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. 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 sterilizing equipment.

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/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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.

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:

  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


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 (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • Other (2)
  • Other (3)
  • PCS Orders
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • 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 06/09/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12741644.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Address
Montana VA Health Care System
3687 Veterans Drive
Fort Harrison, MT 59636
US

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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