Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to US Citizens and permanent Federal employees of other agencies. Veterans Preference does not apply to this occupational series. 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 Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC) is a two-division campus located in Cincinnati, OH and Fort Thomas, KY serving 15 counties in Southwest OH, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue, KY; Florence, KY; Lawrenceburg, IN; Hamilton, OH; Clermont County, OH, and Georgetown, OH. The CVAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division.


Duties:

• Supervises Medical Supply Technicians in performance of the operation component of the unit.
• Assists in developing guidance of the entire unit and interpretation of policy for the unit.
• Interprets and provides direction to staff for implementing all relevant SPS guidance and requirements from VHA and other regulatory agencies.
• Provides complex technical, administrative and professional guidance to Medical Supply Technicians.
• Monitors and conducts training of all staff to comply with work needs.
• Evaluates and makes determination of training requirements to maintain a professional environment for staff development.
• Directs the response to equipment and sterilization process failures.
• Coordinates notifications and corrective actions.
• Evaluates performance of subordinates and provides input into performance evaluation reviews.
• Provides orientation training for newly assigned staff.
• Determines progress of new staff. Assists with implementation of Action Plans to improve performance.
• Provides input for development of operating instructions and performance standards. Monitors compliance.
• Provides detailed oversight of activities based on guidance by agencies that develop references utilized by the sterile processing industry.
• Implements practice changes based on product recalls, health safety product alerts and warnings issued by product manufacturers.
• Interfaces with Healthcare Industry Representatives (NCR) to ensure supplies, equipment and instrumentation needs of the facility are met and assists in evaluation of follow-up support.
• Provides support to all areas in SPS as an effective staff member.
• Demonstrates proper instrumentation processing and decontamination processes as a preceptor and expert for all staff.
• Serves as a second review for assembled instrument sets to ensure accuracy.
• Completes documents to verify review process.
• Maintains Electronic Inventory System (Censitrac).
• Communicates actively with supported unit leadership and staff.
• Participates on medical center committees as assigned.
• Collaborates effectively with all support and ancillary units to resolve problem areas and develop efficient and cost-conscious service. Anticipates problem situations and implements proactive processes to prevent occurrence.
• Monitors the work environment and establishes a safe and protective workplace environment.
• Coordinates cleaning of SPS with EMS staff.
• Assists with unit compliance with Federal and State environmental regulations.
• Reviews and implements workflow patterns to provide for an efficient and effective process.
• Anticipates new requirements to accommodate changes in operation.
• Determines the responsibilities and accountabilities for subordinate supervisory staff, and monitors progress toward achievement of the established goals.
• Sets deadlines for work and identifies completion of the work.

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)

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 10am to 630 pm
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 91299-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 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:

• 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Supply Technicians 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 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Grade Level Requirements.

(a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-7.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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.

(c) 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.


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

The full performance level of this vacancy is 8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 08.

Physical Requirements.

• Normal hearing and visual acuity. Efficient hand eye coordination is a requirement.
• Good physical and mental ability is required. Position involves considerable strenuous physical exertion on a regular, recurring basis. Must be able to anticipate and make assessment of need and cause and effect.
• Must be able to wear protective attire while working.
• Position requires periods of prolonged walking, standing and lifting.

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.