Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing) Job in Buffalo, NY

Vacancy No. CBTE-12690466-25-SP Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $55,076.00 to $71,602.00 Grade 6 to 6
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 2/13/2025 Close Date 2/24/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Buffalo, NY


Summary

Medical Supply Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) receive contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME) in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment. These positions will be utilized at the Buffalo and Batavia Campuses.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

U. S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U. S.

Duties

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:

The incumbent(s) provide service for all the Medical Center care areas, including related outpatient services. Incumbent(s) must be well versed in the processing and distribution of supplies and equipment utilized by all areas. Incumbent(s) perform all duties involving aseptic processing in the Processing and Decontamination Section. This work involves preparation, storage and dispatch of medical supplies and equipment used by all patient care and treatment entities of an active General Medical & Surgical teaching hospital. Duties are grouped according to their aseptic or clean tasks. Work is assigned as with either contaminated, clean or aseptically clean as the latter applies to material handling of sterile items.

The incumbent(s) support the need of OR preparing instruments and complete procedure trays of utilization according to the next day's operative schedule. Incumbent(s) must be able to identify damaged and malfunctioning instruments, reassembling multi-part or complex sets, inspecting them for gross contamination, properly placing instruments in the set according to the pick for specific tray. Employee must understand priorities from both a time and event related perspective as this would affect the surgical patient's welfare. This requires constant attention to all details and integration with the OR staff to effectively respond to their emergent and elective surgical needs. The work involves the provision of sterile instrumentation to the OR, in house clinics and off-site regional VA CBOCs.

Decontamination - Incumbent(s) receive and collect all soiled RME from OR, GI and clinics. Incumbent(s) identify, inspect for damage and systematically segregates by soaking, flushing, scrubbing, rinsing, and use of ultrasonic equipment, by use of mechanical instrument washers and by use of AERs for HLD of endo scopes. RME can also consist of handheld instruments, delicate instruments, lumen instruments, power, batteries, cords, metal implants, and robotic instruments.

Preparation - Incumbent(s) receive from decontamination all supplies and equipment for sterilization and assembly. Incumbent(s) must have an understanding of the relationship of microbiology to disease, know basic principles of sterilization (Steam/Low Temp H2O2) and have a thorough knowledge of and ability to apply these methods for processing supplies and equipment. Incumbent(s) are required to assemble and position items carefully on sterilizer carrier, so the complete penetration of the sterilizing agent is possible. Incumbent(s) select correct sterilizing method, cycles and operates sterilizer. Incumbent(s) must watch gauges on all sterilizers and report deviations.

Incumbent(s) are responsible for checking effectiveness of the sterilizer by ensuring color changes on marker tapes and spore tests in addition to checking for excessive wetness of packages. Responsible for identifying, labeling, dating and application of control numbers and outdated for all trays and processed equipment. When called upon Incumbent(s) advise medical personnel on availability of supplies, possible substitutions and effective use of equipment.

Incumbent(s) are responsible for daily storage inventory and issuance of supplies and equipment to designated areas. Responsible for inspection and examination of storage areas for outdated supplies and ensures removal for reprocessing.

Incumbent(s) must complete the SPD Level I training program over a 8 week time frame and receive a passing grade of 80% in each end of chapter test. Incumbent will be allowed to take the den of chapter tests as many times as necessary for satisfactory completion. Incumbent receives periodic training by videos, in services, lectures, etc. in the use and functioning of new medical supplies, instruments, and equipment, new or improved sterilization practices, developments in microbiology, bacteriology and therapeutic practices as they affect the sterile supply operation.

Sterile Storage- Incumbent(s) use OR pick sheets to pull medical dry goods and sterile RME trays for next days' cases. Incumbent(s) also check scopes for outdates in scope hanging cabinets. Incumbent checks shelves and does daily QA audit of trays for exterior nonconformities possible issues.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm
Position Description/PD#: Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)/PD21N87ARelocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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.
  • 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).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

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.)

English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.

Experience and Education:
  • 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; 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.
  • Grandfathering Provision: All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.
  • Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs.
IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE, YOU MUST MEET THE GRADE REQUIREMENTS AT THE GS-5 LEVEL TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS
GS-06 (Full Performance Level):
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. This includes removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing. Inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Preparing, loads, and operating sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor; preparing operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
  1. Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
  2. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
  3. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures.
  4. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.
  5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
Preferred Experience: VA, CBSPD or HSPA Certification for SPS recommended. One year of professional work in SPS required. Must be computer literate. Minimum HS Diploma required. Knowledge of medical anatomy terminology recommended. Must be able to clean, assemble, sterilize or HLD, any surgical instrumentation for operating rooms and medical specialty clinics.

References: VA Handbook 5005/76 Part II, Appendix G47 VA Qualification Standard for Medical Supply Technician, GS-0622. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-06.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to 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)
  • Other (1)
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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.

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 02/24/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12690466.

  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.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Shamika Parnell-Meyers
Address
VA Western New York Healthcare System
3495 Bailey Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14215
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.


© 2006-2025, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements