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 job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current, permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and all US Citizens.

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The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician provides leadership of day-to-day operations under the direction of the Chief, Sterile Processing Service.

Leadership and Supervision
2. Exercises delegated supervisory authority for workload distribution, time-and-attendance, and leave approval.
3. Assigns, monitors, and reviews work for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
4. Conducts performance evaluations and provides mentoring and feedback.
5. Serves as the Chief's designee and backup for SPS operations during absences.
6. Collaborates with the Chief and Team Lead to ensure continuous survey readiness and adherence to local accreditation requirements.

Quality Management (acts as Quality Technician)
1. Serves as the Quality Technician responsible for developing, monitoring, and reporting quality metrics.
2. Conducts audits of sterilization documentation, biological indicators, load records, and CensiTrac data.
3. Analyzes trends, implements corrective and preventive actions, and prepares quality reports for local leadership.
4. Maintains all local quality-assurance files and evidence-of-compliance documentation.

RMD Coordinator Responsibilities
1. Acts as the Reusable Medical Device (RMD) Coordinator for SPS in accordance with VHA Directive 1116(2). Maintains the facility's RMD inventory alongside the Team Leader, ensuring precise risk classification of all devices. Reviews and distributes manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFUs) and verifies that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and competency assessments reflect current validated instructions, in compliance with VHA Directive 1116(2).

Training, Competency, and SOP Management
1. Develops, implements, and evaluates the SPS training and competency program.
2. Reviews, writes, and revises SOPs and competencies to reflect current IFUs and standards.
3. Maintains official training files and competency validation records.

Safety and Patient Care Impact
Ensures compliance with VHA Directive 1050.01(1) - Quality and Patient Safety Programs, as well as AAMI ST90 Quality Management in Sterile Processing Services. Reports equipment or utility failures to Biomedical Engineering/HTM immediately. Promotes the safe handling and transport of RMDs to prevent cross-contamination.

Performs other related duties as assigned by the Chief, SPS, to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations.
Oversee daily operations and assess staff performance.
Utilizing quality management systems, auditing, and data analysis.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm
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)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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: AD-HOC (Employees who telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement.) (Portion of day acceptable)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 51736-F
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.
• Driving Requirement-Must possess a valid driver's license to operate a vehicle.
• 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
  • Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability toperform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or
  • Education. One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours inhealth 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.
• English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and writtenEnglish in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.

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-08 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
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.

Preferred Experience:
National Certification

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-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS08.

Physical Requirements: Occasional travel required for VA-sponsored training, certification, or temporary on-site support at other VA facilities. Travel may also be incumbent during emergency shutdowns, when off-site reprocessing is mandated, or when transporting Reusable Medical Devices (RMD's) to or from CBOCs. RMD's may not be transported outside of a government vehicle. The position will require distant vision 20/40 in one eye with or without correction, field of vision 70 degrees, ability to distinguish red, green and amber, whispered voice at five feet, or average hearing loss of not greater than 40 dbs. at 500, 1000 and 2,000 Hz.

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.