Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current, permanent employees of the Wilmington VA Medical Center 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 DutiesThe Supervisory Medical Supply Technician demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the highest level of Medical Supply Technician, and possesses management and leadership ability to:

• Manage, interact, and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds.- Provide direct supervision for Medical Supply Technicians and Lead Medical Supply Technician
• Oversee completion of daily task
• Oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of reusable medical equipment.
• Perform a full range of supervisory duties including but not limited to assigning, planning, and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues.
• The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as required by this position.
• The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of RME appropriate to this position.
• The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RME appropriate to this position.

Supervisory MSTs perform all the functions of subordinate MSTs including, but not limited to:

• Conduct daily assessment of assigned area.
• Retrieve soil reusable medical equipment (RME) from operating rooms and outpatient surgical clinics to include Dental.
• Remove soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, brushing, and scrubbing.
• Completion Level 1Training modules in TMS within 90 days of employment and obtain Level 2 certification within the year.
• Completion service specific orientation and staff in-service program of Sterile processing.
• Achieve competency in all areas of sterile processing (Decontamination, Prep and Assembly, Operating room, and Endoscopy).
• Inspect packages for indications of proper sterilization.
• Assemble basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room.
• Prepare, load, and operate sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad.
• Knowledgeable in high level disinfecting (HLD) scope reprocessor such as the Medivator and Trophon.
• Prepare operating room case carts daily pull sheets and utilizing surgery schedule.
• MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments.
• Inventory instrument trays in CensiTrac for accountability of all instruments.
• Ensure instrument cleanliness and completeness as appropriate and deemed ready for sterilization.
• Monitor instrument sets through the sterilization process using CensiTrac and QA monitors.
• Deliver reprocessed instrument trays to clinics and Operating Room Core in a timely manner.
• Work as part of team of technicians to improve the throughput of surgical instruments through SPS.
• Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and reprocess using standard operation procedures (SOP) and manufacture information for use (IFU). Note: may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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.
• 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.
• 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

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
• (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.

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).

GS 08 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing). One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7). Examples of specialized experience include: ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments; communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations; skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers; Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures; leading individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs and must be demonstrated on your resume:

1. Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds.
2. Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed.
3. Ability to oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RME.
4. Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues.

Assignment. The Supervisory MST functions as a first-level supervisor responsible for the oversight of a group of MSTs, with administrative responsibility for planning and directing the work. Oversees attendance and leave, including approval of sick and annual leave and vacation schedules. Informs higher level management of anticipated vacancies or increases in workload. Recommends promotions, reassignments, recognition of superior performance, retention or release of probationary employees or other changes of assigned personnel. Holds corrective interviews with employees, referring disciplinary problems to higher levels of management. Resolves informal complaints of employees and deals with union representatives on personnel matters. Provides technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the organizational unit.

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

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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.