Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

The Charleston VA Healthcare Network is recruiting for a Medical Supply Technician! The incumbent will provide sterilization and preparation of supplies, as well as decontamination and distribution support for reusable medical equipment.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Major duties may include, but are not limited to:Functions or Scopes of Practice.

• Performs the full range of decontamination duties for reusable medical devices, applying full-performance-level knowledge of cleaning methods and infection control principles.

• Independently performs the preparation and assembly of instrumentation trays/sets from various clinics, ensuring correct instrument selection, function, and configuration.

• Provides distribution support for critical and semi-critical RMD for the medical center, including timely issuing, tracking, and restocking.

• Demonstrates advanced knowledge in the operation of sterile processing equipment-including washers, ultrasonic cleaners, Trophons, TD 100, steam sterilizers, and Sterrad sterilizers-and operates them independently in accordance with IFUs and SOPs.

• Applies full-performance-level knowledge in the decontamination, high-level disinfection/sterilization, and proper storage of RMD used in GI (endoscopes and related devices).

• Independently performs decontamination, high-level disinfection, and documentation for GI endoscopes and related devices using Medivators and drying cabinets, following manufacturer instructions and facility policies.

• Maintains comprehensive knowledge of RMD reprocessing steps appropriate to this position and keeps current with SOPs that document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, preparation, and sterilization of RMD; consistently demonstrates the ability to follow and correctly execute written procedures.

• Completes and maintains required training coursework, such as TMS modules and VA SPS Level 1 certification, in a timely manner.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 3:00pm - 11:30pm (on-call duties applicable)Pay:
Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:61773
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Basic Requirements.
English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English.
Citizenship: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
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.

GS-06 (Full Performance Level):
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Experience equivalent to the GS-05 includes, but is 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 the medical center 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; preparing operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule.
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 regard to instrumentation.
5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

Preferred Experience:

• Certification - Sterile Processing
• Quality assurance experience with equipment

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 will be selected for this vacancy is GS-06.
Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments 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, Needle Sticks, and other injuries from handling devices. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of sterile products and packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.

• 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.