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
(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
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.
Grade Determinations:
Experience:
GS-07 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Coordinator
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one (1) 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 RME in the decontamination area; disassembling the RME 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.
GS-07 Medical Supply Technician Sterile Processing - Coordinator Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Practical knowledge of conventional fact-finding or investigative techniques in order to evaluate internal work processes.
- Skill to develop, analyze and evaluate facts relative to unsatisfactory conditions or trends.
- Knowledge of and skill in applying various methods and techniques for investigating, analyzing and recommending corrective action on complex quality problems.
- Knowledge of the SPS policies and procedural manuals, infection control procedures, and accrediting agencies and quality assurance guidelines to assure appropriateness of work during quality assurance reviews.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and other software programs.
- Thorough knowledge of aseptic principles and techniques, which include sterilized operations, sterilizer mediums, and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules and regulations.
Preferred Experience: Sterile Processing and/or Logistics (Supply Chain Management) and/or Biomed (Healthcare Technology) and/or IT experience
Instrument tracking system experience operating, data entry, reporting. Ability to generate and analyze reports on instrument and equipment usage, sterilization cycles, missing items, and Sterile Processing key performance indicators (KPIs). Understanding how the tracking system documentation supports adherence to healthcare regulations and audit requirements.
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. 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 MST may be required to work in areas that are hot, humid, 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 RMD, as well as discerning physical monitors and process indicators of equipment. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The employee wears special clothing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) that can be uncomfortably warm. The Medical Supply is subject to burns and chemical exposure. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of equipment