Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - RME Coordinator

This Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - RME Coordinator position is within the Sterile Processing service at the VA White River Junction Healthcare System located in White River Junction, Vermont.

The Medical Supply Technician - RMD Coordinator is assigned to Sterile Processing Service (SPS) at the White River Junction VA Medical Center.

Major Duties include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for knowing what reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices, or supplies are used in their respective clinical areas.
• Plans and coordinates with providers the appropriate levels of Reusable Medical Device (RMD).
• Possesses thorough understanding of the importance in reprocessing RMD and the impact on our Veteran population through the risk of infectious disease.
• Assists the Chief of Sterile Processing Service with budgetary reports.
• Attends and reports out at various committees and meetings.
• Ensures compliance with directives and regulation.
• Provides Customer Service/Cooperation and Organizational Support.
• Works as a team member with the other MSTs of various experience and GS positions to carry out the daily work.
• Utilizes written SOPs and/or manufactures for use in accordance with policies, previous training, or accepted/standard practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: F08445 for GS-7.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure: Not Required

Notifications:

• This position is in the Excepted Service.
• This position is a Bargaining Unit position.
• This position is covered by a special rate.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.

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 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.
• English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

Grade Determinations:

GS-7: Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - RME Coordinator
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6).

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to interact with individuals of varying backgrounds in order to assess the needs of the department.
• Ability to coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Ability to interpret and apply sterile processing/infection prevention regulations and policies.
• Ability to evaluate new products and equipment.
• Ability to initiate and lead interdisciplinary groups in carrying out sterile processing functions.

Assignment. The RME Coordinator provides oversight in the development, implementation, coordination, maintenance and evaluation of critical and semi-critical medical devices within the RME Program. Reviews the acquisition of new equipment and advises using services of anticipated delivery dates. Controls the release of any new equipment until verification of all SOPs have been developed and communicated to staff. This includes coordination across services and/or disciplines which can influence the organizational mission, vision, values and strategic priorities for RME. Monitors, analyzes and provides consultation on infection control issues regarding RME. Participates in clinical rounds to assist in the verification of each service's SOPs for RME. Investigates the need for any manufacturer and model-specific SOP required for new RME at the time of the acquisition request. When new SOPs are required, obtains the necessary information from the manufacturer or vendor. Develops SOPs to standardize equipment used in the medical center. Educates hospital staff, including the executive level, on all new equipment to ensure compliance is met as it relates to RME.

Preferred Experience: Knowledge of purchasing and coordinating of all critical and semi-critical medical devices, experience with budget reports and ensure compliance with directives.

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-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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/.

• 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.