Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Clarification from the agency

Open to US Public Citizens. Current permanent Cheyenne VA Health Care System employees, Department of Veteran Affairs employees, Other Federal Agencies and current/past/upcoming VHA Health Professions Trainee (HPT) Graduates, please apply on announcement CBSU-13071013-26-OYM. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (MST) in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) works in support of the Chief and Assistant Chief of SPS and is the first line supervisor for MSTs. The incumbent supervises MSTs supporting the Reusable Medical Device (RMD) program to accomplish the mission, vision, and goals of the organization

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Sterile Processing Supervisor independently plans and conducts and makes analysis of operations within the service for evaluating the methods, procedures, workflow, personnel utilizations, etc., and recommends to the Chief of SPS those courses of action or changes which will improve service to the Veteran or affect economy of operation.
• The Incumbent must establish and maintain an accurate RMD inventory, reprocessing equipment, and ensure RMD availability for patient care utilization. The incumbent will plan, organize, direct, train, and coordinate all activities associated with a comprehensive RMD program. The duties of this position are highly specialized and require an in-depth knowledge of processes, reprocessing equipment, RMD, reprocessing methodology, and standards. Much of the work required is time-sensitive and complex in nature having a direct and immediate impact on healthcare delivery.
• The incumbent is responsible for supporting formulation and execution of the service's administrative policies and procedures. The Supervisor manages SPS as a service line within the VA healthcare system using a planned, implemented and evaluated Quality Management System (QMS) Program. Incumbent assists the Chief with overseeing decisions made daily. The Supervisor of SPS is responsible for overseeing the various SPS areas of reprocessing and functions at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center and at the Northern Colorado Outpatient Clinic. Such areas and functions include decontamination, preparation, assembly, packaging, high and low temperature sterilization, disinfection, and endoscope reprocessing necessary to provide patient care safely and effectively.
• The incumbent provides oversight in all aspects of SPS to include planning and scheduling priorities based on available staffing, RMD, reprocessing equipment, resources and the RMD reprocessing workload throughout the healthcare system. The incumbent will also develop quality measures and tracks and reports on sterile processing trends. Incumbent will also review processes, equipment, and resources to ensure the facility is keeping up with new requirements, process improvements, and best practices in the field of sterile processing. Oversees the receipt, processing, transportation, storage and utilization of critical and semi-critical RMD. Utilizes safety precautions in performance of duties. Maintains data integrity and manages information within the instrument tracking/management system to meet the clinical needs for patient care.
• The incumbent hears and resolves minor complaints from employees and can initiate disciplinary measures. The incumbent counsels, guides and evaluates performance. The incumbent carries out Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and program activities.
• Other Duties As Assigned

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.with on-call
Compressed/Flexible: Not available
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)
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 #: 542430
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

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.)

English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.

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.

Certification. None.

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

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).

Grade Determinations. The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates

GS-08 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

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. Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds.
2. Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed
3. Ability to oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RME.
4. Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues.

Assignment. The Supervisory MST functions as a first-level supervisor responsible for the oversight of a group of MSTs, with administrative responsibility for planning and directing the work. Oversees attendance and leave, including approval of sick and annual leave and vacation schedules. Informs higher level management of anticipated vacancies or increases in workload. Recommends promotions, reassignments, recognition of superior performance, retention or release of probationary employees or other changes of assigned personnel. Holds corrective interviews with employees, referring disciplinary problems to higher levels of management. Resolves informal complaints of employees and deals with union representatives on personnel matters. Provides technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the organizational unit

Preferred Experience: Experience in a hospital sterile processing department. Experience as a direct supervisor. Nationally recognized sterile processing certification.

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

This vacancy is being announced above the full performance level at a GS-08

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 resume/CV must include the following information for each job listed or a determination may not be made.

• Job title and Duties

• Month & year, start/end dated (e.g. June 2020 to April 2021)

• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)

• Series and Grade, if applicable

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 (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps