Clarification from the agency

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

Videos

MAJOR DUTIES:

• Responsible for carrying out compliance with manufacturer recommendations for cleaning, preparation, sterilization and storage of RME.
• Receives, disassembles, and inspects reusable medical supplies and equipment for damage.
• Assembles and loads case carts.
• Receives periodic training in such areas as the use and functioning of new equipment, instruments; new or improved sterilization practices, and developments in new technology as if affects SPS operations.
• Monitors operation of sterilizers with prescribed tests in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and documents appropriately.
• Prepare bacteriological spore tests and reads the results of the test, recording those results as appropriate.
• Receive sterilized trays, set, and equipment from the sterilizer, checks for effectiveness of sterilization, places tags on sterilized material indicating date of sterilization and expiration date, and stocks shelves with sterilized material using first in first out method.
• Out take all sterile items that are leaving the department by reconciling the inventory sheets that have been uploaded into the e-QMS (electronic quality monitoring system). Out take areas include, all user services and sterile storage.
• Decontaminate the full range of reusable medical equipment used in the medical center's patient care units, clinics and procedure rooms. Determines and uses the appropriate method for removing gross contamination and bioburden, dissembles and reassembles equipment where the internal parts become contaminated by following manufacturer guidelines for cleaning. Operates various kinds of equipment such as ultrasonic cleaners, washers, dental handpiece service units, leak testers, sterilizers, AER's, Steris, and Sterrad.
• Determine the correct method for pre-cleaning and decontamination. Removes soil, blood, bone, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other gross contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing, brushing and the use of ultrasonic equipment.
• Load, unload and operate Instrument washer disinfector and ultrasonic washer, accurately determining the settings based on the manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU) and the high-risk protocols for each device.
• Responsible for the cleaning, leak testing, decontamination and selection of proper method of sterilization and/or high-level disinfection for flexible and rigid endoscopes in accordance with the manufacturer guidelines.
• Utilize the e-QMS (electronic quality monitoring system) to scan and upload inventory sheets that accompany RME being brought to the decontamination room. The incumbent inventories items received to ensure compliance of receiving complete surgical trays and cassettes and individual devices.
• Enter all non-conformities and requirements not met into the e-QMS (electronic quality monitoring system).
• Cover other shifts as needed within the department.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 10:00a-06:30p, Flexible as needed per department.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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)
Functional Statement #:

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 identification 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.
• Cover other shifts within department as needed.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 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

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.

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.

Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs.

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.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 may at times be warm/hot, drafty or varied light. 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.

English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

Creditable Experience

Knowledge of Current MST Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with MST responsibilities. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as a MST.

Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MST experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a MST is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MST employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service.

In addition to the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also meet the Grade Determinations below:

GS-06 (Full Performance 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. 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.

Assignment. This is the full performance level for the occupation. Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for final processing such as but not limited to steam or hydrogen peroxide (H202) sterilization or high-level disinfecting. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.

Preferred Experience: A minimum of 2 years experience in Sterile Processing. Have 400 hours of on hand experience. CRCST Certification from HSPCA or CBSPD preferred. Previous experience with OneSource, must be able to navigate computer programs with ease. Ability to follow detailed instructions.

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 employee may be required to work in areas that are may at times be warm/hot, drafty or varied light. 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. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/83 PART II APPENDIX G47

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

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.