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:
- 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: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
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.
In addition to the basic requirements applicants must meet the following Grade Determinates:
Grade Determinations:
GS-3 LEVEL GRADE REQUIREMENTS
None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4 LEVEL GRADE REQUIREMENTS
Must have completed six (6) months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting or successful completion of two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. Experience at this level includes, but is not limited to: performing segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization, and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME); completing segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center; operating equipment involved in sterilization processes; preparing operating room case carts; and receiving guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) AND In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1.Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
2.Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.
3.Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
4.Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
GS-5 LEVEL GRADE REQUIREMENTS
Must have one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4) OR successful completion of four (4) academic years above high school leading to a Bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation or a Bachelor's degree. Experience at this level includes, but is not limited to: removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing; inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembling 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, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor; preparing operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule; receiving guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) AND In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1.Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
2.Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility.
3.Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
GS-6 LEVEL GRADE REQUIREMENTS
Must have one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5). To be creditable, this experience must be equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-5, and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities. Experience at this level includes, but is not limited to: receiving contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well; 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, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors; performing and documenting daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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.
References: VA Handbook 5005/76, Part II, Appendix G47. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
Physical Requirements: The work requires walking, bending, standing, and carrying of instruments sets no heavier than 25lbs. The work does not require any special physical effort or ability.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.