Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

This position is located at VA Caribbean Healthcare System. The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Devices. The incumbent will be required to utilize the Standard Operating Procedures which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, preparation, and sterilization of RMD appropriate to this position following standards and procedures.

Major duties but are not limited to:

• Provide cleaning, decontamination, preparation, packaging, sterilization or high-level disinfection and distribution of reusable medical devices (RMD) throughout the medical center.
• Remove soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing.
• Assembles sets, trays and peel packs used throughout the medical center, including those used in the operating room (OR). Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization, proper packaging, and signs of unsterile product.
• MSTs receives guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments.
• Advanced skills from next lower grade level should include case cart preparation, based in the daily surgery schedule.
• Operation of reprocessing equipment, to include sterilizers such as steam and low-temperature hydrogen peroxide based.
• Performs high level disinfection by manual cleaning and using automated endoscope reprocessors.
• Documentation of testing procedures and legal data logs.
• The incumbent will be required to utilize the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, preparation, and sterilization of RMD appropriate to this position.
• Utilizes the department's electronic instrument tracking software to document the reprocessing of RMD.

Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts, weekends, , Holidays, and Outpatient Clinics (OPC) coverages.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 61936F
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.
• Experience and/or Education
  (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrate the applicant's ability to perform the
  work or provides understanding of the work; or
  
  (2) Education. One-year high school that included at least 6 semester hours in healthcare 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
  
  (3) Experience /Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education area
  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).

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.
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-05 (Developmental Level)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower 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.
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-06 (Full Performance Level)
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
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

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.

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.

Preferred Experience: Completion of TMS SPS Level 1 training, preferred. Experience in management of endoscopes reprocessing, preferred. Experience in identifying, managing, cleaning and/or high-level disinfecting surgical instruments, preferred. Knowledge and experience in identifying and managing Orthopedic instrumentation, preferred. Approved professional agency certification for sterile processing, preferred.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for prolonged periods of time, carrying medical supply items weighing up to 50 pounds, pushing medical supply carts weighing up to 200 pounds, or frequent bending stretching, and walking long distances due to the different areas around the facility. The work requires visual dexterity and manipulation in such tasks as inserting small rods into needle openings or precisely aligning component parts while disassembly and reassembling medical devices. Will require the use of personal protective equipment according to the work area for hazardous materials or loud noises with temperature & humidity variant environments.

Selective Placement Factor (SPF) for locations in Puerto Rico- This position includes skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to and essential for- satisfactory performance of the job. Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Evidence of the Selective Placement Factor must be reflected in your resume. The SPF for this position is: In addition to the English Language Proficiency, you must also be proficient in basic written and spoken Spanish in order to perform the duties of this position.

Note: Must possess a valid, state driver's license.

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.