Clarification from the agency

First consideration is given to current VA Saint Louis employees, Second consideration is given to current Agency employees, and Third consideration is given to Public applicants. Current VA employees should submit their most recent non-award SF-50 (01/12/2025 or later) to receive First or Second consideration. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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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 will serve as a subject matter expert to guide staff through proper procedures. They will also be responsible for checking the quality of the work being produced on their tour.

Lead Specific Duties:

• The Lead MST oversees a work team that includes at least one MST position that is above the full performance level.
• Prioritizes and organizes workload based on demands and emergent needs.
• The incumbent instructs employees on specific tasks and techniques and makes available instructions, reference materials, and supplies.
• Provides on the job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices.
• Distributes work assignments among employees in SPS and ensures timely accomplishment of the assigned tasks. Checks on work in progress and reviews completed work to see that instructions on work sequences, procedures, methods, and deadlines have been met.
• Initiates appropriate actions concerning employee injury, working conditions, safety, and replacement of equipment.
• Provides updates to management on staff performance, progress, training needs, and disciplinary problems.
• The incumbent reviews work performed and has the authority to reject any products not meeting established quality standards or cannot be verified as being processed appropriately.
• Resolves processing concerns and questions and oversee the accomplishment of all re-work.
• Responsible for creating written end of shift report and verbally communicating with the incoming shift.
• Establishes timelines during their tour to ensure work is completed prior to deadlines to ensure no delay to patient care.
• Assists management in the development and delivery of orientation and training programs.
• Ensures SOPs and SPS mandates are followed during the performance of workflow.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, Varies
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
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)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 657-118-MST SPS-007

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.

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:

• Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States
• English Language Proficiency - English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3j.
• Experience and/or Education -
  • Experience - Six months of experience that demonstrates the 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.
  • English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English 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 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing):

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. Ability to read and interpret written procedures and select appropriate action in order to instruct staff in correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments.2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff 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.

Preferred Experience: SPS experience

Reference: 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.

Area of Consideration
-Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. All other applicants.

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.