Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

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Assists the SPS Program Manager Coordinator (PMC) in support daily operations of all activities related to the reprocessing of Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) and instrumentation including, but not limited to: decontamination, cleaning, assembly, wrapping, sterilization, transportation, and storage processes.
Educates and leads for proper operational procedures are within all set professional standards, regulations and procedures are followed by SPS team.
Manage reporting of instruments marking & replacement, identification, missing instruments, coordination of services, loaner trays, preference cards & counts sheets review, and status of repairs.
Assisting to coordinate operations, priorities, and procedures daily within the Sterile Processing Department.
Promotes effective communication with clinical services and operating rooms to facilitate patient care delivery and department efficiency.
Recommends staffing and shift changes, as needed, to promote delivery of health care service.
Supports and adheres to Federal and local policies and procedures.
Demonstrates sensitivity to the cultural values and beliefs of patients and staff.
Serves as a common bond between employees. Gets familiarized, works based on and promotes the High Reliability Organization (HRO) values.
Supports a culture of safety; Commit to zero harm; Learn, inquire, and improve; Duty to speak up; Respect for people; and Clear communications.
Monitors RMD physical / electronic inventories to evaluate and report services in need of replace or increase RMD levels and RMD electronic tracing.
Coordinates the instruments replacement by identifying, monitoring, following up to replace items in missing trays, and reporting findings and actions monthly.
Identifies items pending for tracking system mark, coordinates to remove them from circulation and mark them for appropriate scanning and tracking.
Coordinates the surgery and procedure schedules to project work for the current shift and several days in advance by participating in Operating Room Daily Huddle as needed and/or Morning Hand Off with OR and verifying loaner trays availability for cases.
Coordinates with SPS team for timely delivery of sterilized/ reprocessed RMD or instruments to appropriate storage locations or end users.
Participates actively in the revision of purchases of new RMD, development of SOP training, and validation of its competencies.
Monitors aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RMD. Ability to act as a resource for staff in both SPS and OR regarding identification and assembly of specialty instrument trays.
Performs tasks simultaneously while maintaining quality and managing events or emergencies. Participates in proactive/ purposeful rounds, quality RMD tracers at SPS or end user areas to promote continuous improvement



Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts Weekends and Holidays, coverage for CBOCs
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 61995F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
• Experience and/or Education: Experience: Six (6) months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or,
• Education: One (1) year above high school that included at least six (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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Supply Technician (MSTs) must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

Grade Determinations: GS-08 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Experience to the next lower grade includes: 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.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Ability to read and interpret written procedures and select appropriate action in order to instruct staff in correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments.
2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules and regulations.
3. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.
4. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures.
5. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments.

Preferred Experience:

• Two (2) years of experience as a Medical Supply Technician (MST), preferred.
• Knowledge and experience on management of instrumentation used in Operating Room & clinical settings; universal precautions; infection control measures; sterility & high-level disinfection principles; and reusable medical devices, preferred.
• Knowledge and experience on management of endoscopes reprocessing, preferred.
• VHA SPS Level 2 Training, preferred or Sterile Supply Certification, preferred.

References: VA Handbook 5005/76, Part II, Appendix G47 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standard GS-0622 VHA.

The Lead MST at this level oversees a work team that includes at least one MST position that is above the full performance.

Selective Placement Factor: Must be proficient in spoken and written Spanish language.

Physical Requirements: The work is performed in various settings throughout the facility, to include but not limited to; decontamination, scope room, sterile storage, Prep & Packaging and clinical departments. The incumbent may be required to work in a multitude of temperature variants. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday, with frequent bending and lifting of instrumentation (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee will be asked to rotate between carefully controlled clean environments and the contaminated area of decontamination. The employee wears personal protective equipment, as appropriate for their area. This will include, but not limited to; hospital provided surgical attire, hair covers, beard covers, shoe covers and hospital dedicated shoes. The employee may be exposed to hazardous materials or loud noises within the department.

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.