Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing Coordinator)

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens. This position has been identified as one of the hybrid title 38 occupations reported among the occupations with the largest staffing shortages and, therefore, under 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference to external applicants for appointments made during the FY 2026. Permanent employees must submit a current 2026 SF-50 to meet eligibility for first area of consideration. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The MST CensiTrac Coordinator provides comprehensive technical support for the CensiTrac Instrument Management System (IMS). Assists in the orientation and training of SPS staff on the IMS. Assists in the efforts for high-reliability organization (HRO), performance improvement/outcomes, and the continued readiness initiatives of provided services to ensure the goals of excellence in clinical outcomes and customer satisfaction. Creates new employee profile in IMS according to job position, paying particular attention to the features and access levels needed for the appropriate position.

• Assist in formulating and communicating policies and procedures for IMS.
• Assists staff in the proper use and utilization of the tracking system to provide sterile instruments and supplies in an efficient, accurate, and professional manner to all its customers.
• To achieve the primary purpose of the service, this employee must plan and direct the day-to-day workings of the IMS and have a thorough understanding of the maintaining and development of the IMS for the facility. Collaborate and communicate the objectives of the system, give specific instructions and prioritize assignments according to departmental policy, procedure and guidance from the Chief, SPS.
• Receives, researches, and plans the implementation of new product releases that become available. Ensures continued utilization of the IMS features for consistency in the return on investment.
• Acts as a liaison with the IMS support services, facility Information Systems, and Contract Software Vendor. Is the administrator for all hardware, software and accessory equipment needed to operate an efficient IMS.
• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the goals and function of SPS and the role an effective IMS contributes to a successful service. Develops and reviews policies and procedures that impact the IMS. Presents improvements of the system to the Chief and seeks approval for changing SOPs. Recommend amendments for procedures as new technology creates change.
• The MST CensiTrac Coordinator will develop staff competencies in collaboration with the SPS RN Educators and MST Trainers, for the effective and proper use of the IMS. Will orient new employees to SPS on IMS. Will also assist the Chief, SPS in the development of a disaster plan downtime procedure for the IMS, sterilization equipment and other systems related to the data that is captured in the IMS.
• Responsible for performing data entry for new instrument sets, equipment, and procedural trays. Uses a consistent format and naming nomenclature for instrumentation and containers. Tracks additions, modifications and deletions made to instrument set count sheets. Changes should be trended to see who is requesting the change, the reason for the change and if there are any repetitions overtime.
• Will have extensive knowledge of the processes for RMD as required. Will be required to learn, follow the directions of written procedures and maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, preparation, and sterilization of RMD appropriate to this position.
• Complete training coursework and VA SPS certification as required for an MST position in the VA. Maintain certification by completing approved annual Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and annual in-service hours.

NOTE: Additional Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties are required and can be provided upon request.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm; possible weekends/holidays for emergencies.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not 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)
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 #: 931340, GS-0622-7.
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.
• 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

Veterans' Preference: Veteran's preference does not apply to the 0622 occupational series per OCHCO Bulletin for the annual determination of staffing shortages as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7412 dated October 1, 2025.

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.
• 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.

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:
GS-07 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Coordinator:

Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Practical knowledge of conventional fact-finding or investigative techniques in order to evaluate internal work processes.
2. Skill to develop, analyze and evaluate facts relative to unsatisfactory conditions or trends.
3. Knowledge of and skill in applying various methods and techniques for investigating, analyzing and recommending corrective action on complex quality problems.
4. 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.
5. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and other software programs.
6. 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.
7. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules and regulations.

Preferred Experience: 1 year of program coordination and administrative program management. Level II sterile processing
certification (or higher) preferred. Associates degree or higher 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 GS-7.

Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, sterile supply, and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The MST may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty, and poorly lit. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for prolonged periods of time, frequent bending and stretching/reaching, walking, and pushing fully loaded carts which must be negotiated up inclines and over rises, or positioning them.
There are frequent trips throughout the facility picking up soiled items or delivering clean/sterile devices. The employee usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another while performing duties. There is frequent requirement for lifting individual instruments, instrument trays, and items weighing up to 50 pounds from just above the floor to above the head. The technician transports trays and devices on a variety of carts that may weigh several hundred pounds when full.
Employees must be acutely aware of safety requirements when moving these carts as they have areas that extend outside the visible area that can cause harm to other staff or equipment. The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly, and assembly of instrumentation. Computer work and instrument sorting requires periods of intense visual concentration.
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, shoe covers, and other appropriate personal protective equipment 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 employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gases are unknown. The employee often works around biohazardous materials such as body fluids, mucous, excretions, and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors may be encountered while decontaminating and disinfecting instrumentation or reusable medical devices.
The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts, and operation of cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilization equipment. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

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.

Veterans' Preference does not apply. OCHCO Bulletin for the annual determination of staffing shortages as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7412 dated October 1, 2025.

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

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)

***Permanent employees must submit a current 2026 SF-50 to meet eligibility for first area of consideration.


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
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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