Skip to main content
U.S. flag

Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Cleveland VA Primary Care Clinic
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Medical Supply Technician. The Medical Supply Technician will function within the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) section of the Medical Center.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/03/2025 to 07/14/2025
Salary
$33,533 to - $72,819 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 00 - 6
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Cleveland, OH
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
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
CBSR-12754774-25-AD
Control number
840090000

Videos

Duties

Help

Duties of the Medical Supply Technician include, but are not limited to:

  • Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RMD in the decontamination area.
  • Provides sterilization, preparation, supply items and reusable medical devices in decontamination and distribution support for the medical center.
  • Disassembles the 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.
  • Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to Steam, Sterrad, Sterilization, and high level disinfecting processing.
  • Has detailed knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) as required by this position.
  • Knowledgeable of all areas of sterile processing service, decontamination, Prep and Pack, Sterilization.
  • Maintains current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RMD appropriate to this position
  • Demonstrates the ability to utilize acceptable proficiency in the use of RMD appropriate to this position.
  • Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.

Work Schedule: Variable Shifts
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 92381-0, 92382-0, 92383-0, 92384-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Help

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.
  • 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:

  • 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-MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j
  • 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.
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).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-03 (Entry Level)

Experience or Education
. None beyond the basic requirements

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:
  1. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
  2. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.
  3. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
  4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
GS-5 (Developmental Level)-

Experience
. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level; 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 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.

GS-6 (Full Performance)-

Experience
. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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:
  • High School Graduate and/or GED Equivalent
  • 1-2 years experience in the Sterile Processing field and/or Graduate of an accredited Sterile Processing Program
  • National Certification (HSPA,CBSPD) preferred but not required.
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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

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 pushing, pulling, reaching (to include above the shoulders), 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. (once trained in sterilization process). The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing substances are unknown. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling and carry blood-borne pathogens. 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 disinfection, decontamination and sterilization equipment.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

"VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being."

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; 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.

Areas of Consideration - Applicants will be considered based on the following areas of consideration.

  • First Area of Consideration (Facility Employees) - Current, permanent VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System employees (this includes Outpatient Clinics, permanent employees of the Veteran Canteen Service assigned to this facility, Office of Information & Technology employees assigned to this facility, and Virtual CBOPC bargaining unit employees under station 741 located at the Cleveland VAMC.

  • Second Area of Consideration (Other VA Employees) - Current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees (VA employees who are located at other VA medical centers).

  • Third Area of Consideration - Current, permanent employees of other Federal agencies

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.