Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to the Public - US Citizens. In accordance with Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) Bulletin, Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages dated 10/1/2024, Veterans' Preference will not be applied to this occupation.

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The incumbent is a member of the SPS team that performs a wide area of duties, including various cleaning, decontamination, assembly, sterilization, and distribution processes associated with medical, surgical, and Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) throughout all hospital services. This position is essential to the operation and capability of many direct patient care areas to optimally service the needs of the Veteran. The expectation is 100% accuracy, 100% of the time.

• Employees at the GS-3 grade level serve in an entry level MST position and receive close supervision.
• Employees at the GS-4 and GS-5 grade level serve in developmental positions as MSTs and receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex procedures.
• GS-6 is the full performance level. MSTs at this level perform all aspects of the position and help develop lower graded personnel.

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties:

• Receive contaminated critical, semi-critical, and noncritical RME in the decontamination area.
• Disassemble RME and determine the correct cleaning method, such as ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers, and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions.
• Inspect, assemble, and determine the correct method and packaging for sterilization.
• Perform and document daily operational checks for all sterilization equipment.

Examine and Inspect the Condition of Instruments, Supplies, and RME:

• Collect and issue receipt of all used, soiled reusable critical and semi-critical RME, utilizing proper PPE and infection control procedures to prevent cross-contamination.
• Properly disassemble technical medical instrumentation and equipment, where internal parts may become contaminated, which requires dexterity, skill, careful positioning of parts, and the elimination of any bioburden.
• Perform thorough inspections for cleanliness, damage, deterioration, or imperfections such as rust, pitting, and cracks that could affect the quality of patient care.
• Ensure items function properly and be knowledgeable of the purpose and proper use of medical instruments.

Cleaning Surgical Instruments and RME:

• Responsible for the systematic manual and automated cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of instrumentation and equipment according to strict Manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFU).
• Use knowledge of instruments to differentiate items that require differing methods of cleaning and disinfection of complex, expensive medical instruments.
• Properly operate automated cleaning and disinfection equipment, including washer/disinfector, ultrasonic machines, automated endoscope re-processors, sterilizers, and electrical conductivity testing devices.
• Ensure all safety and infection control rules, regulations, and requirements are followed by all personnel working in, or entering, the work area.

Quality Assurance:

• Ensure quality assurance testing of the effectiveness of the equipment operation is complete and documented to include mechanical, chemical, and biological monitoring.
• Prepare the full range of trays and sets necessary for use in various areas of the medical center.
• Reassemble surgical instrument sets as required for use by ophthalmic, urological, orthopedic, podiatry, and dental specialties.
• Adhere to and monitor Medical Center and SPS Infection Control Guidelines pertaining to inspection, collection, and transport of infectious materials during daily soiled supply and equipment collection.

Assemble, Package, Wrap, and Sterilize Instruments for End Users:

• Determine proper instrument selection, function/operation, need for protection, and arrangement of items to ensure effective penetration of the sterilant.
• Determine proper packaging method based on size, number, and weight of the assembled items, and label items appropriately.
• Continuously monitor priority of instrument needs for various departments of the Medical Center to ensure needs are met proactively and in a timely manner.

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Work Schedule: Mon - Fri, 9:30am to 6:00pm.
Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
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).
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.
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.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000.

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.
• 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

2. Experience and/or Education:

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

3. Certification: None.

4. English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 38 USC 7401(3).

GRADE DERTERMINATONS:
GS-03 (Entry Level).
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.

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

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 an office but requires transition to various settings such as decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical center/campus. The work requires moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); straight line pulling (up to 8 hours); pulling hand over hand (up to 8 hours); pushing (up to 8 hours); reaching above the shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours); repeated bending (up to 8 hours); both legs required; the ability to distinguish basic colors; and hearing (aid may be permitted).

Environmental Factors: Work may be outside and inside; exposure to excessive noise, intermittent; constant noise; slippery or uneven walking surfaces; working around machinery with moving parts; working with hands in water; working alone and closely with others; and caustic chemicals.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

What are KSAs?
In the federal hiring process, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) are a list of special qualifications and personal attributes that you need to have for a particular job/grade level (see Qualifications section of this announcement).

• Knowledge statements refer to an organized body of information usually of a factual or procedural nature which, if applied, makes adequate performance on the job possible. A body of information applied directly to the performance of a function. Skill statements refer to the proficient manual, verbal or mental manipulation of data or things.
• Skills can be readily measured by a performance test where quantity and quality of performance are tested, usually within an established time limit.
• Ability statements refer to the power to perform an observable activity at the present time. This means that abilities have been evidenced through activities or behaviors that are similar to those required on the job. Note that abilities are different from aptitudes. Aptitudes are only the potential for performing the activity.

Although not required at the time of application, we highly recommend submitting a supplemental document with your written responses to the KSAs required at each grade level you wish to be considered. If you choose not to submit KSA responses, please ensure your resume includes details of your experience that fully demonstrate the required KSAs as described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.

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.