Medical Supply Techician (Sterile Processing)

This position serves as a Medical Supply Technician (MST) with the Oscar G. Johnson, VAMC (OGJVAMC), Sterile Processing Service (SPS). The position, the incumbent will provide decontamination, cleaning, disinfection, preparation, sterilization, transport and storage of Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) to support the medical center in accordance with VHA Directives, department Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Manufacturer's Instructions For Use (MIFU).

Major Duties:

• Receives contaminated critical (ex. surgical instruments), semi-critical (ex. endoscopes), and noncritical (ex. infusion pumps) RMD.
• Properly identifies and disassembles RMD and determines correct cleaning method(s) for each device, such as but not limited to manual washing, ultrasonic cleaning, cart washing, chemical cleaning, and mechanical washer/disinfector.
• Conducts quality assurance and verification testing of cleaning and disinfecting processes.
• Inspects, assembles, and performs functionality testing of all RMD in preparation area.
• Determines the correct method of packaging (container, wrap, peel pack) and properly packages all RMD.
• Follows SOPs and MIFU to properly sterilize or high-level disinfect RMD through steam sterilization, low-temperature chemical sterilization, and automatic endoscope reprocessor use.
• Utilizes instrument tracking system to document all reprocessing activities.
• Performs and documents daily operational checks, validation processes, verification testing and records for all sterilization equipment and processes.
• Conducts daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning of reprocessing areas and RMD storage areas.
• Transports RMD from soiled utility rooms throughout facility to SPS and from SPS to RMD storage areas in accordance with department SOP.
• Successfully completes and maintains competency in all department processes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 06637F, 06636F, 06635F, 06634F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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: Medical Supply Technicians (MSTs) must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j.
• Experience:
  • Six (6) months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work. OR,
  • One year of education 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,
  • Have the equivalent combination of experience and education.

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:

GS-03:

• Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04:

• 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 (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.

AND

• Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to meeting the experience or education for the GS-04 level, you must possess all of the following KSAs.
  • 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:

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: 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. 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.

AND

• Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to meeting the experience or education for the GS-04 level, you must possess all of 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:

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing; Inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembling basic sets and trays used throughout a medical facility including those used in the operating room; preparing, loading, and operating sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule.

AND

• Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to meeting the experience or education for the GS-04 level, you must possess all of 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.

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: Walking, standing twisting, turning, sitting, pushing, bending, repetitive keyboarding, or carrying of light items. Some positions may require sitting for long periods of time at a computer terminal typing data while talking on a telephone headset.

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 evaluation.
• 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.