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VA St. Louis Health Care System is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans.

The Advanced Medical Supply Technician (AMST) in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) must be familiar with all duties performed in SPS, as well as the standard operating procedures and manufacturing guidelines. The reprocessing of RME is in support of all clinical services provided within the two divisions, both in the surgical suites and outpatient areas. The GS-7 is a subject matter expert and has experience with the most complex processes. Care and attention to detail are critical at this level of performance. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a 24/7 hospital. The incumbent must be poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds. Willing to work cooperatively to lead a team and as a member of a team in all assignments.Duties include:

1. Assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy, robotic, and complex endoscopic instrumentation.
2. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room.
3. Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating, and sterilizing Reusable Medical Equipment (RME).
4. Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, including the interpretation of alarm conditions that may occur while operating the equipment.
5. Demonstrates expert knowledge of operating room sets and the assembly of highly complex instruments and trays for procedures.
6. Determines the appropriate sterilization technique based on standard operating policy, and manufacturer guidelines.
7. Performs a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of sterilization based upon indicators used.
8. Assembles case carts for the operating room utilizing case sheets containing all necessary items.
9. Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning or processing standard operating procedures or instructions have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines.
10. Incumbent must be the expert in recognizing the correct personal protective equipment that is necessary in all areas and ensures compliance of staff with those requirements.

Work Schedule: Full Time. Rotating shifts to include days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the health care system.
Telework: Not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

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:

• 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: Must be proficient in both spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph3j, VA Handbook 5005/83 Part II, Appendix G47.
• 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.

Grade Determinations: GS-07 Advanced Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-06, which includes: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. AND

In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). If the experience is not detailed in your resume, then it is recommended to update your resume and/or include a separate document that speaks to the below list of KSAs.

• Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets.
• In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others.

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).

Assignment. The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room. Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment. Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47

This GS-7 vacancy is above the full performance level.

Physical Requirements: The position requires long periods of standing, walking, bending and lifting. The employee usually stands and moves from one part of the department to another. There is a frequent requirement for lifting baskets of stainless steel instruments weighing in excess of 25 pounds from floor level to chest level. Dexterity and strength are required for lifting and positioning RME. The employee regularly pushes loaded carts weights several hundred pounds and loads them into elevators and through entryways. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and be able to shift priorities based on needs.

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.