Advanced Medical Supply Technician

This position is in the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System, in Loma Linda CA in the Sterile Processing Service. Sterile Processing Service is responsible for sterilization, preparation, and distribution of reusable medical equipment (RME). This position is an advanced performance level position Medical Supply Technician (MST).The Advanced MST receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination.

The Advanced Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing). In this position, the incumbent will accurately reprocess critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment, which includes but is not limited to the decontamination, scope reprocessing, preparation, sterilization, supply items, and case cart assembly for the medical center. The term "supply item" as used in this functional statement refers to disposable and reusable items for surgical procedures and or patient care including instrumentation (scissors, forceps, retractors, etc.), reusable medical equipment (scopes, probes, etc.), surgical trays and sets and various other items that could be processed or assembled through the Preparation and Decontamination areas of Sterile Processing Service. The incumbent receives guidance from Lead MST and works with little or no supervision. The result of these duties and responsibilities is to ensure the best possible Product is delivered, the right item, at the right time, in the right condition, and ready for use. The Advanced MST will attend training on either one, or all, the procedures associated with the set-up, use, reprocessing, and maintenance of new equipment prior to its initial use that leads to his/her initial competency and, validation of that competency on a recurring basis. Assist Educator and Supervisors in training and seeing staff perform competencies, conducts weekly/monthly/quarterly quality assurance checks. Performs other related duties as assigned. Oversees the work of lower-grade employees. Maintain certification by completing approved, annual Continuing Education Units (CEU) and annual in-service hours.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well.
• Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents as determined by manufactures instructions.
• Inspects, prepares, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, VPro, EtO, and high-level disinfecting reprocessors; may prepare operating room case carts utilizing surgery schedule.
• Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing and scrubbing.
• Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RWE).
• Completes segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center.
• Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes.
• Performs and documents daily operational checks, records for all sterilization equipment, and performs quality assurance checks,
• Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment.
• Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines.

Work Schedule: 10:00pm to 6:30am, 24hour on-call weekends
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not available
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not available

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. 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.

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:

• (1) 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.
• (2) 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.
• (3) 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.

Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs.

Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-07 Advanced Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6).

Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.

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

• 1. Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• 2. Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets
• 3. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• 4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others.

Assignment. The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room. Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment. Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines.

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of use, regarding SPS RMD Ultra sonic, mechanical washers, cart washers, and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents as determined by IFU instructions.
• Inspects, prepares assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as, but not limited to to Steam, VPRO, and high-level disinfection endoscopic reprocessors such as Evo-tech, OER's, Medivators.
• Has the ability to assemble basic instrument sets and trays for use in the medical center.
• Assist with training staff and Quality Assurance inspection when needed.
• Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical devices. performs and documents daily operational checks, records for all sterilization equipment and performs quality assurance checks.
• Works independently with little supervision and conducts ad hoc duties when needed.

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.

Physical Requirements:

This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and department throughout the medical facility/campus. The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.

On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The employee wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warn-I. The employee uses insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses are unknown. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or reusable medical equipment. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment.

Occasional Travel: This position may offer occasional travel away from the duty station to assist with Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) support during periods of required coverage and may be selected to attend VHA sponsored educational training or certification courses. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid California Driver's License to operate a government vehicle

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.
• 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.

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