Clarification from the agency

This Job Opportunity Announcement is open to current, permanent employees of other federal agencies and all US Citizens. If you are a current, permanent VA employee and current and/or former VA Health Profession (HPT) trainees, you may apply to this announcement: CBSU-11821672-23-CK

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GS-03 is Entry Level and GS-04/GS-05 are Developmental Level. All have similar, progressive responsibilities.

Decontamination, Manual Cleaning and Sterilization (50%)

• Receives contaminated instruments from the operating rooms, dental clinics, endoscopy, nursing units, eye clinics, wound care, podiatry and inspects these items for damage and insures that they are in good working condition. Determines correct method for decontamination and cleaning per the manufacturer's instructions. Removes blood, tissue, bone fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by soaking, scrubbing, brushing, rinsing and use of ultrasonic equipment.
• Disassembles, and inspects for damage reusable medical supplies, instruments, and equipment.
• Determines correct method for manual cleaning and disinfection. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other gross contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing, and use of ultrasound equipment. Loads and operates washer disinfector, cart washer and sterilizers.
• Removes items from washer/disinfector and determines type of tray or set to assemble based on recognition of key items and the operating room and clinic schedules.

• Receives Examines items to ensure that gross contamination has been removed.
• Assembles sets and trays by selecting appropriate tray and arranging instruments in the tray in the correct manner.
• Selects correct sterilizing medium and cycles and operates sterilizer.
• Periodically monitors operation of sterilizer with prescribed tests.
• Disassembles, cleans, lubricates, reassembles and sterilizes dental handpieces and numerous dental specialty instruments and trays. All instruments are processed per manufacturer's guidelines.
• Properly loads and operates sterilizers such as Steam, and hydrogen peroxide gas plasma. Selects correct sterilization method for items to be sterilized.
• Monitors performance of sterilizers for quality control by conducting bacteriological tests (bacillus stearothermophilus spores for evaluation of steam and bacillus stearothermophilus spores for evaluation of hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizers). The bacteria challenge tests are properly recorded.
• Properly documents load contents on sterilization records.
• Receives periodic training in such areas as the use and functioning of new medical, dental and surgical instruments, and equipment. This is accomplished by scheduled training sessions that include instructional webinars, lectures, demonstrations, and keeping abreast of new developments and techniques by reading sterilization periodic journals and literature, and maintaining communications with manufacturer representatives.
• Has regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive data which must be protected under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, Federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy. Responsible for:
  • Protecting that data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration or unauthorized deletions
  • Following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release or access codes, etc., as set forth in a computer access agreement which the incumbent signs.
• Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions.
• Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information per established policies and handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.
• Drives Government vehicle for the sole purpose of transporting contaminated RME from Community Based Outpatient Clinics to SPS on the main campus. This may involve interstate highways and city traffic in excess of 100 miles per day.

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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:

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.)

Experience and/or Education
Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work.
or
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
Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Certification. None.

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).


Grade Determinations:

GS-03 (Entry Level)Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Assignment. This is an entry level MST position. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision.


GS-04 (Developmental Level)

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
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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:

• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.
• Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.

• Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility.
• Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.

• Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures.
• Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

• 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 or instrument trays weighing up to 45 pounds from just above the floor to waist level and occasional requirements for similarly lifting baskets weighing up to fifty pounds. The technician transports trays and equipment on carts that may weigh up to 300 pounds when full. Employee must be acutely aware of safety requirements when moving these carts over slight rises such as door sills.
• 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.
• The employee must be able to read, write, and organize written material.
• Near vision correctable at 13 to 16 inches to a Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye 20/20 and 20/40 in the other. Full spectrum of color vision.
• Bilateral dexterity with the use of both hands. Reaching above shoulders, bending, twisting, stooping, squatting, lifting, pushing, pulling and unencumbered ambulation are required of this position.

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.

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.