Medical Supply Technician-Sterile Processing

Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) 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 a range of instrumentation, from simple sets of four or five instruments, to very complex and specialized sets of up to ninety instruments such as: Total joint sets, femoral vascular, radical nephrectomy, abdominal vascular, chest sets, thoracic, orthopedic implant sets, carotid vascular, general surgery sets, etc. Assembles delicate micro-surgical sets such as micro-surgical ear set. ENT plastic set for procedures requiring plastic surgery, micro-surgical 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 instructions for use. Selects appropriate methods for sterilizing, balancing time constraints with possible detrimental effects of quicker methods. Arranging instruments in the tray in the correct manner, i.e., hinged instruments in open position, ring-handled instruments on a spreader, heavy instruments on the bottom, delicate items pre[1]wrapped to prevent damage, blades and points properly covered.
• Works Independently and prepares the full range of trays and sets necessary to be used in the Operating room (OR) and clinic areas, and Veteran Affairs Community Clinics (VACCs). Relay all requests for updates to trays and count sheets to the MST Lead/Supervisor 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.
• Responsible for the systematic manual cleaning and disinfection of non-critical clinical equipment used in the reprocessing of all RMD. The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) must adhere to selected methods and the manufacturer's instructions for use. Regularly tests operations and cleaning of equipment for effectiveness of sterilization. Conducts daily biological monitoring on numerous different sterilizers throughout SPS. Updates the documentation tracking system with results of biological tests.
• Participates in evaluating the decontamination, high level disinfection/sterilization process and pre-cleaning processes utilized throughout the medical center and Veterans Affairs Community Clinics (VACCS). Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical Devices (RMD) in the decontamination area.
• Utilizes computers to perform record keeping, tracking operations. Processes emergent requests, prepares tray lists, and updates files as required.
• Conducts inventory of all items used in the reprocessing of RMD as well as sterilized trays checking package integrity and expiration dates.
• Transports RMD within facility, the VACCs, other VAMC facilities with which a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists, or to a community hospital as instructed by supervisor.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: 3:00pm-11:30pm, Monday-Friday
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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 #: 05936-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.

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).

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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

(1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.

(2) MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

(3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

GS-06 (Full Performance Level)Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to:
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. Assignments at this level include but are 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 a medical facility including those used in the operating room; preparing, loading, and operating sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope re-processor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) at the GS-6 level:

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: 2 years experience with Sterile Processing. Certification preferred.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 6.

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 Lead MST may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty, and poorly lit. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material and equipment handling. 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. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gases are employees often working 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 clattering of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and the operation of pre-sterilizing equipment. The employee usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another while performing duties. There is frequent requirement for lifting supply tote bins, baskets or instruments sets weighing up to 50 pounds from the floor to chest level. The incumbent regularly pushes loaded instrument carts weighing as much as several hundred pounds.
Tension and stress are induced by the critical nature of producing work results on a pre-established time frame as well as in emergent situations.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

Any applicants who are current Federal employees (including current VA employees) must submit a copy of their SF-50/Notification of Personnel Action form (version Jan 2026 or later) showing their current grade/step/salary.

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 (VA)
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps