Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current permanent employees of the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, and current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs nationwide.

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

The Lead MST is responsible for all activities that occur in the department during their tour of duty. This includes receiving instruments, trays, etc., processing through decontamination, assembly, sterilization and building case carts. The Lead MST will serve as the subject matter expert to guide staff through the proper procedures. Monitors and reports on the status of the work being performed and ensures all work adheres to established policies and procedures. Reviews work in progress and spot checks work not requiring review to ensure completed work meets the demands of the facility and quality standards. Assesses the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of reusable medical equipment (RME) processed.

Provides information to management officials concerning performance issues, assignment changes and task completion. He/she will accommodate special and emergent requirements through consultation and coordination with the medical/surgical professional staff. The incumbent advises
medical personnel on the proper use of medical sterile equipment and problems that may arise.

On a regular and recurring basis, lead duties in this position consist of the following:

• Distributes and balances the workload among staff in order to ensure timely processing and to ensure that each employee has enough work to keep busy
• Keeps in touch with the status and progress of work and makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities
• Reports on expected time of completion of work and maintains records of work accomplishments and time extended
• Prepare production reports as requested
• Instruct employees in specific tasks and job techniques and make available written instructions and reference materials as necessary
• Provides on the job training to new employees
• Maintains current knowledge and answer questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives, etc.
• May obtain needed information or decisions from the supervisor on problems that arise
• Spot checks work in progress and assist in reviewing completed work to see that instructions, work sequences, procedures, methods and deadlines have been met.
• Amends or rejects work not meeting established standards. Refers to the supervisor with questions or issues not covered by standards and/or problems in meeting performance standards.
• Monitors working conditions such as seating, ventilation, lighting, safety, ETC.
• May inform employees of available services and employee activities
• Resolves simple, informal complaints of employees, but refers other situations to the supervisor
• Reports to the supervisor on performance, progress and training needs of employees
• Completes competencies for MSTs, as delegated
• Reports on behavior problems

Work Schedule: 11:00pm - 7:30am variable shift with rotating weekend and holidays.
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

This occupational series may be eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $40,000 annually, up to $100,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a three-year service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Contact VHAV23SLRP@va.gov for more information.

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.
• 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:

a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.)
b. 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.

c. Certification. None.
d. Grandfathering Provision. All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

1. Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.
2. MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
3. MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

e. 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.
f. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
g. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.

Grade Determinations:

GS-07 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MST experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled.

AND

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.

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.

Preferred Experience: Leadership or supervisor experience. 5 years of Sterile processing experience, within all areas, e.g. Pack & prep, Decontamination, Scope room.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System.
2. All other VA employees.

Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees

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.