Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing), GS-06, Lake Baldwin Orlando VA Healthcare System, performs decontamination, cleaning, assembly, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments and reusable medical equipment. Follows SOPs and manufacturer instructions to ensure safe, sterile items are provided for patient care.

Major Primary Duties (This is a full-performance-level MST position.)

• Receive, disassemble, and decontaminate contaminated reusable medical equipment (RME) using approved cleaning methods (ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, chemicals).
• Inspect, assemble, package, and prepare instruments and trays for sterilization (steam, Sterrad, high-level disinfecting scope reprocessors).
• Perform and document daily operational checks for sterilization equipment.
• Follow SOPs and manufacturer instructions to ensure proper cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of all items.
• Apply knowledge of surgical instruments, universal precautions, medical terminology, sterility principles, and written procedures.
• Work as part of the Sterile Processing team to support safe and efficient workflow in decontamination and preparation areas.

Work Schedule: Lake Baldwin
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:30pm
Work Schedule: Viera
Monday - Friday, (rotating from) 8:00am - 4:30pm, 8:30am - 5:00pm, 9:00am -5:30pm, 9:30am -6:00pm
Telework: Not available
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 80483F
Medical Supply Aide and Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Supply-Aide-Career-Flyer.pdfTotal-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf

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 VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j,
• 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).

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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Physical Requirements:

English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j,

Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the grade level requirements.
GS-03 (Entry Level)

• Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04 (Developmental Level)

• Experience/Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-04 you must meet one of the following experience and/or education grade level requirements. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Six (6) months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; or Two (2) 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 US. 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.
• Knowledge Skills and Abilities: In addition to meeting the experience or education for the GS-04 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Basic knowledge of medical terminology 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/Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-05 you must meet one of the following experience and/or education grade level requirements. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4) Performing segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME); completing segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center; operating equipment involved in sterilization processes; preparing operating room case carts. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. or Four (4) 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.
• Knowledge Skills and Abilities Requirement: In addition to meeting the experience or education for the GS-05 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards 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.
• 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Preferred Experience:

• 3 years of experience in Sterile Processing Services (assembling major trays, Censitrac).
• HSPA or CRMST Certified
• Selected for this vacancy is to be first at the full performance level.

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-6.

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.