Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Job in Salisbury, NC

Vacancy No. CBTA-12724200-25-RY Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $39,055.00 to $71,076.00 Grade 3 to 6
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/15/2025 Close Date 4/24/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Salisbury, NC


Summary

The Medical Supply Technician is under the administrative and technical supervision of the Chief of SPS and Associate Director of Patient Care Services/Nurse Executive. The incumbent performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization, and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME).

Duties

  • Responsible for sterile preparation which is accomplished through inspection, assembly, packaging, and terminal sterilization of all trays, sets, and packs for use throughout the facility
  • Assembles delicate micro-surgical sets such as micro-surgical ear set. ENT plastic set for procedures requiring plastic surgery, microsurgical eye instruments, and other surgical specialties
  • Assembles and selects the correct sterilizing method for a variety of costly and delicate equipment such as flexible resectoscopes and other flexible and rigid endoscopes
  • Tests instruments for functionality and assembles instruments in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines
  • Selects appropriate methods for sterilizing, balancing time constraints with possible detrimental effects of quicker methods
  • Independently prepares the full range of trays and sets necessary to be used in the wards, clinic areas, dental clinic, and surgery
  • Updates trays and count sheets as needed
  • Considers surgery schedules and Clinic schedules along with considering time factors for processing order to determine how many items to stock based on the turnaround time for processing, preparation, and frequency of use
  • Effectively processes and sterilizes a wide variety of implant devices in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations and ensure that they are held for the required time post sterilization per regulations
  • Responsible for the collection and receipt of all used soiled supplies, instruments, or equipment
  • Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing and use of ultrasonic equipment
  • Uses approved/recommended germicidal detergent to clean items that cannot be submerged
  • Assumes leadership responsibilities to perform peer training as well as provide user training and instruction pertaining to correct operating and preventative maintenance procedures of medical equipment
  • Regularly tests operations and cleaning of equipment for effectiveness of sterilization
  • Monitors performance of sterilizers for quality control by conducting bacteriological tests (bacillusstearothermophitus spores for evaluation of steam and STERRAD sterilizers and bacillus subtillis for evaluation of gas sterilizers)
  • Conducts daily biological monitoring on numerous different sterilizers throughout SPS
  • Updates the documentation tracking system with results of biological tests
  • Utilizes knowledge (of governing policies and regulating bodies) and experience to react to requests for emergent and/or urgent RME supply needs ensuring positive outcomes
  • Utilizes knowledge of equipment, its use, and specific procedures to respond to inquiries about the equipment and potential equipment substitutions
  • Uses computers to perform record keeping, tracking operations
  • Processes emergent requests, prepares tray lists, and updates files as required
  • Conducts inventory of all sterilized trays checking package integrity and expiration dates
Work Schedule: 4pm -12am
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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

Basic Requirements:
  • Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States.
  • 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.
  • English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.
Preferred Experience: Sterile Processing certification and 1 year experience or 2 to 5 years of Sterile Processing experience

Grade Determination:

GS-3 Experience, Education and Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS:4: Six months specialized experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting
OR,
Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
(b) Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.
(c) Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
(d) Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.

GS-5: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
OR,
Four 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
(b) Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility.
(c) Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.

GS-6: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
(b) Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
(c) Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures.
(d) Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.
(e) Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

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

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


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.

  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Certification
  • Resume
  • 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 04/24/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12724200.

  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

Reginald Young
Address
WG Bill Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center
1601 Brenner Avenue
Salisbury, NC 28144
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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