Supervisory Medical Support Technician- Sterile Processing

The Supervisor, Sterile Processing Service (SPS) serves as the Supervisory Medical Supply Technician. Assists the Chief and Assistant Chief, SPS in the direction of the activities of SPS and shares responsibility for implementation of all Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directives and guidance related to the operation of sterile instrumentation and equipment processing.

Duties and responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Provides complex technical, administrative and professional guidance to Medical Supply Technicians.
• Interprets and provides direction to staff for implementing all relevant SPS guidance and requirements from VHA and other regulatory agencies.
• Monitors and conducts training of all staff to comply with work needs. Evaluates and makes determination of training requirements to maintain a professional environment for staff development.
• Directs the response to equipment and sterilization process failures. Coordinates notifications and corrective actions.
• Evaluates performance of subordinates and provides input into performance evaluation reviews.
• Provides orientation training for newly assigned staff. Determines progress of new staff. Assists with implementation of Action Plans to improve performance.
• Provides input for development of operating instructions and performance standards. Monitors compliance.
• Provides detailed oversight of activities based on guidance by agencies that develop references utilized by the sterile processing industry.
• Implements practice changes based on product recalls, health safety product alerts and warnings issued by product manufacturers.
• Interfaces with Healthcare Industry Representatives (NCR) to ensure supplies, equipment and instrumentation needs of the facility are met and assists in evaluation of follow-up support.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 91299-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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, this part.
• 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.

• Grandfather Provision. A Medical Supply Technician (MST) employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (May 28, 2014) 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.

Grade Determinations:

GS-08

Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Distributing and prioritizing workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations; assuring an even workflow and distribution of the workload; revising work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload; assigning work to staff based on experience and training needs; monitoring and reporting on the status of work; reviewing work in progress or spot checking work not requiring review to ensure completed work meets supervisors' instructions on such things as work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines; assessing the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of technical medical equipment, material and instrumentation.

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

• Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds.
• Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed.
• Ability to oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RME.
• Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues.

Assignment. The Supervisory MST functions as a first-level supervisor responsible for the oversight of a group of MSTs, with administrative responsibility for planning and directing the work. Oversees attendance and leave, including approval of sick and annual leave and vacation schedules. Informs higher level management of anticipated vacancies or increases in workload. Recommends promotions, reassignments, recognition of superior performance, retention or release of probationary employees or other changes of assigned personnel. Holds corrective interviews with employees, referring disciplinary problems to higher levels of management. Resolves informal complaints of employees and deals with union representatives on personnel matters. Provides technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the organizational unit.

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-08.

Physical Requirements:

• Normal hearing and visual acuity. Efficient hand eye coordination is a requirement.
• Good physical and mental ability is required. Position involves considerable strenuous physical exertion on a regular, recurring basis. Must be able to anticipate and make assessment of need and cause and effect.
• Must be able to wear protective attire while working.
• Position requires periods of prolonged walking, standing and lifting.

• 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 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.