Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This is an Internal Announcement open ONLY to Current, Permanent VISN7 VHA Federal Employees. First area of consideration will be given to VA Dublin Healthcare System Employees. Veterans preference does not apply to this Announcement.

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The Advanced Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) 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.

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Manages, creates, trouble shoots, problem solves, monitors, and maintains instrument tracking systems as well as coordinating, maintaining, and monitoring instrument maintenance and repair.
• Coordinates with SPS Management, Logistics, Reusable Medical Device (RMD) Coordinator, and SPS Quality Assurance for all new purchased and leased instrumentation.
• Receives, schedules, refers, and contacts members of the staff, agency, and persons outside the agency ranging from other government agencies to the public.
• Completes training coursework and VA SPS certification as required for a Sterile Processing Technician position in the VA.
• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the goals and function of Sterile Processing, and the role an effective tracking system contributes to a successful department.
• Develops and reviews policies and procedures that impact the Instrument Management System (IMS). Presents improvements of the system to the Chief and Assistant Chief, seek approvals for changing SOPs. Recommend amendments for procedures as new technology creates changes.
• Performs data entry for new instrument sets, equipment, and procedural trays. Uses a consistent format and naming nomenclature for instrumentation and containers.
• Tracks additions, modifications and deletions made to instruments set count sheets.
• Assists in developing staff competencies for the effective and proper use of the tracking system.
• Run routine administrative reports and provide to IT and the department Chief and Assistant Chief
• Serves as department hardware/software support representative by identifying department needs and by ensuring highest level of performance.
• Collaborates with other departments to ensure the appropriate professional standards are consistently applied in the Sterile Processing department. E.g., OSHA, JCAHO, CDC, AAMI, etc.
• Maintains systems competency as required to perform duties.
• Train and manage staff assigned to instrument marking, substitute approvals and data entry to the system.
• Actively troubleshoots system problems and accessory equipment. Reports problems to IT department, Censis Helpline/Help ticket and follow up with systems vendor resolution.
• Provides written audits or exception reports for SPS Chief and Assistant Chief detailing problems identified.
• Develops instrumental manual for IMS and keeps manual updated.
• Develops and maintains system training and procedures and operating manual to ensure correct and complete utilization of Instrument Asset Management system.
• Provides training and direction for user on the use of the system and procedures.
• Ensures resources are utilized in a cost-effective manner.
• Give recommendation for capital budget related to IMS for compliance to new regulations or projects being pursued for further utilization of the system.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, rotating tours as needed.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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 up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
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 (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 54793F
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 evaluation.
• 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

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: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.
• Experience and/or Education:
  • 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.
• Certification. None.

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-7 (Advanced Level):
Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: :In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs
1. Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
2, Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets.
3. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others.

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.

Preferred Experience: Prefer nationally recognized certification including Healthcare Sterile Processing Association Certification and Certified Registered Central Service Technicians Certification; Censitrac Training, 2 years experience in Sterile Processing or OR/ENDO.

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-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.

Physical Requirements:
1. The work is performed in various settings, to include but not limited to, Decontamination, Preparation/Packaging and Sterilization area, Endoscopy Suite, and in other services and departments throughout the medical center.
2. The employee may be required to work in a multitude of temperature variants. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruise, needle sticks, and other injuries from handling equipment.
3. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of sterile products and packages (occasionally weigh as much as 50 pounds).
4. The employee may be required to push load carts weighing several hundred pounds and work them over irregularities in the floor (e.g., door sills and elevator entrance).
5. The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.
6. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment.
7. The employee wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment (PPE), and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warm.
8. The employee uses insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers.
9. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items.
10.The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gases are unknown.
11.The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling.
12.Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or Reusable Medical Devices (RMD)
13.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 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.