Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current Veterans Health Administration Employees, Veterans Administration Employees & Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) eligible employees ( Federal employees who met the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee) & The Public

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Diversity Statement
VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System (VAEKHCS ) 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.

Duties include but not limited to:
- Provides inventory support and physically maintains stock at secondary inventory locations for SPS.
- Provides sterilization, preparation, and decontamination support for the medical center. Properly disassembles supply items avoiding damage or unnecessary wear.
- Utilizes Standard Operating Procedures and manufacturer instructions during required troubleshooting.
- Uses seasoned judgment to ensure minimum potential for damage to equipment.
- Removes gross contamination, pre-sterilizes biological contamination and decontaminates all reusable supplies and equipment.
- Visually examines items for damage, deterioration, or imperfections such as rust, pitting and cracks.
- Operates medical equipment to determine whether it operates correctly after reassembly.
- Packages individual items or assembles items into sets or trays.
- Determines appropriate method of sterilization and attaches chemical indicator tape to package.
- Receives new supplies, checks deliveries for quality and quantity.
- Stores items in accordance with inventory system.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:30pm
Telework: Not eligible
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#:Medical Supply Technician/ PD000000
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.
• 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

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.
• Education or Experience:
  • Experience: Six months of creditable experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides and understanding of the work.
  • Education: Successful completion of one (1) 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.
  • Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education as described above.
• English Language Proficiency: Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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-3 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above.

GS-4 Experience: Applicants must have six (6) months experience as a Medical Supply Technician, operating room or surgical technician, or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; OR 2 years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

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-5 Experience: Applicants must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4).In addition to the experience 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-6 Experience: Applicants must have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level (GS-5).In addition, 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47

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.
On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The employee wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warm. The employee uses insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses are unknown. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or reusable medical equipment. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment.

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 WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.