Clarification from the agency

Internal to VA employees only

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This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The Medical Supply Technician major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS 06. At the GS 03 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of Medical Supply Technician GS-06. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.

The duties of the Medical Supply Technician include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Decontaminating a full range of reusable medical and surgical supplies, instruments, flexible, rigid, video scopes and medical equipment such as I.V. pumps, cables and cords used in the medical center's wards, clinics and operating rooms.
• Determines and uses the appropriate method for removing contamination.
• Operates various kinds of equipment such as ultrasonic cleaners, cart washers, washer disinfectors, scope washers, and leak testers.
• Operates various kinds of sterilizers such as Hydrogen Peroxide, Ethylene Oxide and Steam.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/15/2021.

Basic Requirements:
A. 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.)
B. 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.
(3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
C. 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).

Preferred Experience: Experience in Sterile Supply/Central Processing Services. Knowledge of Surgical instrumentation.

Grade Determinations: in addition to the Basic Requirements above, candidates must meet one of the following:
GS-03 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-04 (Developmental Level)
A. Experience. Six months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; or
B. Education. Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation.
NOTE: Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or nursing assistants obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces, the U.S. Maritime Service, or hospitals under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to 6 months of experience.
C. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: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-05 (Developmental Level)
A. Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; or
B. Education. 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.
C. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, 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-06 (Full Performance Level)
A. Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
B. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, 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.

There is No Education substitution at the GS-6 Full Performance Grade Level

References: VA Handbook 5005/76 Part II Appendix G47 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standard.

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.

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 incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. 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.

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, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

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.