Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Major Duties Include but not limited to:

• Leads a unit or team of employees performing work at the GS-6 level or below.
• Provides guidance and technician direction for accomplishing the work of the unit or team.
• Ensures work assignments of employees in the unit or team are carried out.
• Works with the Chief and Assistant Chief, SPS, in the assignment of functions to team members in order to meet routine and unusual deadlines and priorities.
• Distributes and balances workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established workflow, job specialization and/or capabilities of individual.
• Is a working Lead Technician, responsible for filling in and for distributing the workload in case of personnel shortages or short notice priorities, to ensure a smooth workflow.
• Ensures timely accomplishment of assigned tasks and ensures that each employee has enough work to keep busy.
• When necessary, revises work schedule to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload.
• Assigns work to employees or assigns employees to position.
• Breaks out tasks as necessary to provide new employees with the experience and training required to perform the task.
• Assigns work, including overtime, disagreeable or choice tasks, etc., equitably among employees.
• Explains work requirements, methods and procedures, as needed, giving special instructions on difficult or different operations and answering technical questions about the task.
• Trains or arranges for the training of team members in the accomplishment of tasks or projects. Gives on-the-job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices.
• Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, checking on work in progress and reviewing completed work to see that the supervisor's instructions on priorities, methods, deadlines and quality assurance have been met.
• Obtains assistance and/or needed information from the supervisory staff on problems that may arise or backlogs that cannot be disposed of promptly. Amends or rejects work not meeting established standards.
• Refers questions or matters not covered by standards and problems in meeting performance standards to the supervisory staff.
• Checks the cleaning, reprocessing and distribution of technical medical equipment, materiel and instrumentation as deemed appropriate to assess the quality and quantity of work produced by each employee.
• Ensures that items are safe to use, delivered on time at the proper place, and in the correct condition to be properly used for VA patient care.
• Monitors working conditions such as seating, ventilation, lighting or safety. Informs employees about the policies, procedures and goals of the service as they relate to the work of the unit and changes thereto.
• Reports to the supervisor on performance, progress and training needs of employees, and on behavior problems.
• Informs supervisor of employees' participation, suggestions, and reactions.
• Resolves simple, informal complaints of employees and refers others, such as formal grievances and appeals, to the supervisor or an appropriate management official.
• Conducts and records competencies on individuals for the proper reprocessing of AME, following established checklists devised by supervisory staff and approved by Infection Control.
• Performs quality assurance inspections of instruments and equipment in the Sterile Preparation area of SPS prior to items being wrapped and sterilized.
• Conducts inspection of the Decontamination area of SPS to verify that proper techniques and processes are being followed by staff and that all equipment is working properly.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 3:30 - 12:00am
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/26/2025
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. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.
• Experience and/or Education:

(1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or

(2) 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

(3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Preferred Experience: Assists in prioritizing processing of instruments and equipment for surgical procedures to facilitate turnover of cases. Anticipates instrument needs for following day and assures sterile processing completion. Assist the operating room staff, supporting the O.R. suite while opening surgical instrument trays, Performs/assists with daily quality testing on equipment in SPS. Answering phones and daily staff assignment sheet.

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as a GS - 6

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(1). Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments.
(2). Skill in communicating with staff to ensure 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.

Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/83 PART II APPENDIX G47. https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation),gastrointestinal intestinal endoscope reprocessing hub, 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 work requires proper body mechanics when standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages/instrument trays (occasionally weighing as much as50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.

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.