Clarification from the agency

This position is only open to current and permanent employees of the Department of Veteran's Affairs

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FUNCTIONS/DUTIES:
The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (MST) functions as a first-level supervisor responsible for the oversight of a group of MSTs, with administrative responsibility for planning, directing, and assessing the work. In this position, the incumbent oversees all aspects of the work to include decontamination, preparation, high-level disinfection, and sterilization of critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices (RME), assembly of surgical case carts for the Operating Room, retrieval and delivery of RMD, and maintenance of the work environment in accordance with VHA directives and memoranda governing operations in SPS. The Supervisory MST is competent to perform work tasks, assist with workload, and assess work quality.

The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (MST) is required to complete Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Level 1 training within 90 days of hire and participate in continuing education (i.e., computer based training and in-service education sessions) to maintain SPS Level 1 certification. Attaining SPS Level II certification and having a certification in sterile processing from a professional organization is preferred. The incumbent will be required maintain knowledge of the department's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for the cleaning, decontamination, preparation, high-level disinfection, sterilization, and storage of the RME appropriate to this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain competency in all reprocessing activities.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

a. The Supervisory MST (SPS Shift Supervisor) is under the direct supervision of the Chief and Assistant Chief, Sterile Processing Service.

b. The service chiefs will assign work with standing instructions of objectives, priorities, and deadlines and provide guidance to ensure procedures are performed correctly.

ASSIGNMENT
a. This is a managerial level position in Sterile Processing Service as a Supervisory Medical Supply Technician. In this position, incumbent as the SPS Shift Supervisor is available to consult with the employees, provide guidance, and review work related to all reprocessing activities. The shift supervisor must be able to work as a team member with other MSTs of varying experience levels and is expected to provide guidance and direction regarding normal operations as well as unusual problems that develop. The supervisor reviews work for overall technical soundness and conformance with departmental SOPs, facility and agency policies. Work is assessed through observation of the work area, discussion with the employee, and feedback from the end users of RME reprocessed by the department. The Shift supervisor is responsible for holding employees accountable for work performance and adherence to department and facility policies.

b. Supervisory MSTs are responsible for overseeing attendance and leave to ensure employees are in their assigned work areas during work hours and that break and meal periods do not exceed the allotted time. Shift Supervisors may approve sick leave and annual leave requested during the shift and collaborate with the service chiefs in planning and approval of upcoming leave requests and vacation schedules. The Shift Supervisor informs higher level management of anticipated vacancies or increases in workload. The Supervisory MST recommends to higher level management recognition of superior performance, retention or release of probationary employees or other changes of assigned personnel. The Supervisory MST provides corrective guidance and may conduct interviews with employees in accordance with applicable agreements and regulations to investigate workplace irregularities, referring disciplinary problems to higher levels of management. The Supervisory MST is responsible for resolving informal complaints of employees and dealing with union representatives on personnel matters. The Supervisory MST is responsible for promptly reporting formal complaints so that they can be addressed as required by applicable laws, directives, and policies. As a shift supervisor, the Supervisory MST provides technical supervision and workload assistance as necessary for accomplishing the work of the organizational unit.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 3:00pm to 11:30pm
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

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Supply Technician MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, of VA HANDBOOK 5005/76.

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. 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).

Certification. None.

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.

Grade Determinations: GS-08 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

(a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS - 07)

(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 GS-08.

Physical Requirements: The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday with frequent bending and lifting of sterile packages and containers averaging 25 lbs. The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulation, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. Physical demands include bending, twisting, stooping, extending arms, lifting of heavy objects such as instrument trays to and from shelf heights ranging from 8 inches above floor level up 18 inches below ceiling height. Use of a safety step stool or safety step ladder is required to reach work area and equipment surfaces higher than what the employee can reach unaided (i.e., standing on the floor). Pushing and pulling of loaded sterilizer carts, transport carts, and surgical case carts is required.

The incumbent must be able to tolerate standing for prolonged periods of time, wearing impervious personal protective equipment (PPE), and higher ambient temperatures in the presence of heat-generating equipment. The incumbent must be able to tolerate ambient noise from reprocessing equipment and activities, and odors from contaminated RME and reprocessing agents.

On a regular basis the employee alternates between the clean, controlled environment of the preparation, sterilization, high-level disinfection, and sterile storage areas and the contaminated environment of the decontamination area. The incumbent must comply with attire and PPE requirements to protect RME undergoing preparation, high-level disinfection or sterilization from contaminants, and to protect oneself from biohazards such as blood, body fluids, and tissues. The incumbent must also comply with PPE requirements or other controls designed for protection against hot surfaces and chemical agents used during cleaning, decontamination, high-level disinfection, and sterilization.

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.