Clarification from the agency

First area of consideration will be given to AFGE bargaining unit employees at Topeka VAMC. Second AOC will be given to EKHCS permanent employees. Third AOC will be given to the public (U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals) NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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The MST-IMSC in SPS is at an advanced performance level with respect to sterile processing and the knowledge and use of the instrument tracking system. S(he) is responsible for the oversight of the SPS automated equipment tracking system in the Sterile Processing Services under the direct supervision of the Assistant Chief, SPS. In this position, the incumbent responsibilities include management, creation, trouble shooting, problem solving, monitoring and maintaining the instrument tracking system as well as assisting with maintaining and monitoring instrument maintenance and repair. The MST-IMSC will work in conjunction with Lead MST's to provide assignment changes and task completion when needed. S(he) will accommodate special and emergent requirements through consultation and coordination with the medical/surgical professional staff.

The MST-IMSC assists in the orientation and training of SPS staff on the Instrument Management System (IMS). Assists in the efforts for fostering a Highly Reliable Organization (HRO), performance improvement/outcomes and the continuous readiness initiatives of provided services to ensure the goals of excellence in clinical outcomes and customer satisfaction. Creates new employee profile in the Instrument Management System according to job position, paying particular attention to the features and access levels needed for the appropriate position. Assist in formulating and communicating policies and procedures for the IMS. Assists staff in the proper use and utilization of the IMS to provide sterile instruments and supplies in an efficient, accurate, and professional manner to all its customers. To achieve the primary purpose of the service, this employee must plan and direct the day-to-day workings of the IMS and have a thorough understanding of the maintaining and development of the IMS for the facility. Collaborate and communicate the objectives of the system, give specific instructions, and prioritize assignments according to departmental policy, procedure and guidance from the Chief, Sterile Processing Service. Receives, researches, and plans the implementation of new product releases that become available. Ensures continued utilization of the IMS features for consistency in the return on investment. Acts as a liaison with the IMS support services, facility Information Systems, and Contract Software Vendor. Is the administrator for all hardware, software and accessory equipment needed to operate an efficient IMS. Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the goals and function of SPS and the role an effective IMS contributes to a successful service. Develops and reviews policies and procedures that impact the IMS. Presents improvements of the system to SPS Leadership and seeks approval for changing SOPs. Recommend amendments for procedures as new technology creates change. The MST-IMSC will develop staff competencies, in collaboration with the SPS RMD Coordinator/ Educator and MST Leads, for the effective and proper use of the IMS. Will orient new employees to SPS on IMS. Will also assist the Assistant Chief and Chief, SPS in the development of a disaster plan downtime procedure for the IMS, sterilization equipment and other systems related to the data that is captured in the IMS.

Other duties may be delegated as the need arises. Due to the advanced knowledge of this employee, additional duties and reassignments are frequent and not uncommon for this position.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
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 #: 000000
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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation
• 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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education or Experience:
  • Experience: Six months of creditable experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides and understanding of the work.
  • Education: Successful completion of one (1) 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.
  • Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education as described above.
• English Language Proficiency: Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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

Qualifications Requirements:
GS-07 Medical Supply Technician - Instrument Management System Coordinator (Sterile Processing) Qualification standard, GS-0622.
(1) Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs.

• Practical knowledge of conventional fact-finding or investigative techniques in order to evaluate internal work processes.
• Skill to develop, analyze and evaluate facts relative to unsatisfactory conditions or trends.
• Knowledge of and skill in applying various methods of techniques for investigating, analyzing and recommending corrective action on complex quality problems.
• Knowledge of the SPS policies and procedural manuals, infection control procedures, and accrediting agencies and quality assurance guidelines to assure appropriateness of work during quality assurance reviews.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and other software programs.
• Thorough knowledge of aseptic principles and techniques, which include sterilized operations, sterilizer mediums, and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules and regulations.

Preferred Experience: Censitrac experience/knowledge

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

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 incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty, and poorly lighted. 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.
On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The employee wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warm. The employee uses insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses are unknown. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or reusable medical equipment. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment.

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.