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Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located within the Sterile Processing Service. In this position, the incumbent will provide sterilization, preparation, supply items and reusable medical equipment decontamination and distribution support for the medical center.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
08/08/2022 to 08/29/2022
Salary
$46,499 to - $60,449 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
West Palm Beach, FL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBTC-11583906-22-KLJ
Control number
669979600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is opened to US Citizens. Federal employees will need to apply to the internal announcement number CBTC-11583908-22-KLJ. There is NO need in applying to both.

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Duties

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Major Duties, but 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: 3:00 pm - 11:30 pm. (This position may require shift work and/or rotation of tour assignments).
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #: Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)/000000.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

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
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to a background/security investigation
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

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:
    • Experience: Six (6) months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or,
    • Education: One (1) year above high school that included at least six (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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
  • English Language Proficiency: Medical Supply Technician (MSTs) must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
Grade Determination GS-06 (Full Performance Level):
  • Experience: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 level. GS 5 level experience/education includes: 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 following KSAs: 1. Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. 2. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility. 3. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

1. Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
2. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
3. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures.
4. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.
5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

Preferred Experience:
  • National Certification from (IAHCSMM), (HSPA), or (CBSPD), preferred.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standard GS-0622 VHA.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements: This position may require shift work and or rotation of tour assignments. Routinely requires heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over), heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over), straight pulling and pushing (up to 8 hrs.), walking (8 hrs.), standing (8 hrs.), kneeling (8 hrs.), repeated bending (8 hrs.), both legs required, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing aid permitted, and ability to operate transportation equipment.

Creditable Experience:
  • Knowledge of Current Medical Supply Technician (MST) Practices: To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with Medical Supply Technician (MST) responsibilities. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as a Medical Supply Technician (MST).
  • Quality of Experience: Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to Medical Supply Technician (MST) experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
  • Part-Time Experience: Part-time experience as a Medical Supply Technician (MST) is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a Medical Supply Technician (MST) employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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, résumé, 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.

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.

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