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Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located within the Sterile Processing Service in the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System at Bay Pines, Florida and Lee County Healthcare Center in Cape Coral, Florida. The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System is a general medical and surgical facility, classified as a Level 1A Complexity. The Medical Supply Technicians (MSTs) work in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team

*****A relocation incentive may be offered to highly qualified candidate(s).*****

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/16/2025 to 06/24/2025
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$39,831 to - $67,641 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 3 - 6
Location
3 vacancies in the following location:
Bay Pines, FL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
6
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBTC-12742274-25-CBB
Control number
838879500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current, permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current, permanent Federal employees of other agencies. Please apply to CBTC-12742273-25-CBB if you are not a current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employee or current, permanent Federal employee.

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Duties

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The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) is knowledgeable of processes related to Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME. Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Duties and responsibilities of the Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) include, but are not limited to:

  • Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well.
  • Disassembles complex RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions.
  • Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing.
  • Assembles instruments; including the most complex sets, and other surgical items, by selecting appropriate items, trays, instruments, etc. and assembles them in the correct manner to ensure appropriate sterilization.
  • Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, hydrogen peroxide, ETO, and high-level disinfecting scope re-processors.
  • Labels all sterilized items correctly according to AAMI and VHA Directive 1116(2) standards.
  • Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.
  • Builds the full complement of Operating Room case carts to include RME, implants, and disposable.
  • Identifies suitable replacement if requested item is not available.
  • Utilizes advanced functions of instrument tracking system.
  • Provides guidance and training to staff members with less experience
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 3:30pm - 12:00am (Evenings no Weekends)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized - As determined by Facility/Agency
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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)

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Requirements

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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.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • 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 dentification 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).

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. 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.)
  • English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, of VA Handbook 5005.
  • Experience and/or Education
    • Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's 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.

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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

GS-03 (Entry Level) - Nothing beyond the basic requirements listed above.

GS-04 (Developmental Level)
  • Experience. Six months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; OR,
  • Education. Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation.
    • NOTE: Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or nursing assistants obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces, the U.S. Maritime Service, or hospitals under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to 6 months of experience.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:
    • Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
    • Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.
    • Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
    • Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
GS-05 (Developmental Level)
  • Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-04); OR,
  • Education. Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation or a bachelor's degree.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:
    • Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
    • Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regard to sterility.
    • Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
GS-06 (Full Performance Level)
  • Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5).
    • Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
    • Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regard to sterility.
    • Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
    • Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
    • Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
    • Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures.
    • Knowledge of sterility principles in regard to instrumentation.
    • Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
Preferred Experience:
  • The Medical Supply Technician (MST) specializes in Sterile Processing Service (SPS) will have completed an SPS program and/or certification.
  • Previous experience of 1-3 years in SPS.
  • CRMST or CRCST certification.
  • Experience with decontamination, assembly, & sterilization equipment. Knowledge of microbiological principles, infection control, & safety practices to prevent contamination.
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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06

Physical Requirements: The Physical Requirements for the position require heavy lifting (45 pounds and over). heavy carrying (45 pounds and over); Use of fingers and both hands; straight pulling (8 hours); pushing (8 hours); walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); Kneeling (8 hours). repeated bending (8 hours); both legs required; working outside and inside; excessive heat; excessive humidity; excessive noise, intermittent; constant noise; solvents (degreasing agents). Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; working around machinery with moving parts; working around moving objects or vehicles; working with hands in water; working closely with others; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception and the ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); operation of transport equipment; working alone; protracted or irregular hours of work; unusual fatigue factors (Repetitive motions).

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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.

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 Federal employees

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