Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Quality Assurance

This is an advanced level MST Trainer position in Sterile Processing Service in Amarillo, TX. This position works in support of the Sterile Processing Service management team. The Quality Assurance (QA) Technician serves as the monitoring specialist for all activities of SPS. The incumbent with monitor all processes of cleaning/decontamination, sterilization, reprocessing, and distribution of critical, semi-critical and non-critical Reusable Medical Devices (RMD).

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

• Monitor all processes of cleaning/decontamination, sterilization, reprocessing, and distribution of critical, semi-critical and non-critical Reusable Medical Devices (RMD). This includes following the use of bacteriological controls, principles and methods of sterilization, packaging, and assembly of simple to more complex items for therapeutic and surgical procedures.
• Perform daily quality checks of all required documentation and report any discrepancies. Develop and maintain methods to evaluate the quality of work performance and outcomes as it relates to the quality assurance program.
• Maintains a system of internal and external reviews ensuring overall compliance of all critical, semi-critical and non-critical RMD used within the medical center. The incumbent will track and analyze required documentation pertaining to critical, semi-critical and non-critical RMD within the scope of SPS for quality control purposes. Utilizes qualitative analysis tools to prepare reports for trending, evaluate operations and facilitate improvements in workflow and quality processes.
• Troubleshoot computer programs related to SPS operations and train staff on the inputting of data associated with the cleaning and sterilization of equipment, biological processing, and quality assurance programs. The incumbent collaborates with SPS management when deviations occur. Updates the quality assurance program annually or when manufacturer information and guidelines are changed.
• Attend RMD rounds at all Amarillo VAHCS locations, report, and develop an action plan for findings, doing follow-up until actions completed and gather RMD data and build report for VISN.
• The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) as required by this position. RMD is any medical equipment designed by the manufacturer to be used on multiple patients. All personnel who are involved with the reprocessing of RMD must have documented training in the setup, reprocessing, and maintenance of specific equipment. Validation of competency will be done, minimally, on an annual basis.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00am-4:30 rotation shifts
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
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 #: 56935-F
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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Experience and/or Education:
  • Experience - Six months of experience that demonstrates the 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; (TRANSCRIPT Required if using education to qualify) OR
  • Experience/Education Combination - Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. (TRANSCRIPT Required if using education to qualify)

Frequent/Occasional Travel: This position may offer occasional travel away from the duty station to assist with Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) support during periods of required coverage. In addition, this position may be selected to attend VHA sponsored educational training or certification courses. Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Texas and Federal Driver License to operate a Government vehicle.
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:

Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Quality Assurance - GS-0622-07
Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Receiving contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area; disassembling the RME and determining 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; inspecting, assembling and determining the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors; performing and documenting daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of fact-finding and investigative techniques in order to evaluate work process.
• Ability to analyze data and make recommendations to correct quality control problems.
• Knowledge of sterile processing operations, infection control procedures, and Joint Commission requirements to assess compliance during quality assurance reviews.
• Ability to compile information, evaluate facts, document findings and prepare reports.
• Thorough knowledge of aseptic principles and techniques to maintain quality control.
• Ability to effectively communicate with technical and professional staff on the proper use of delicate instruments and equipment and resolve problems that may occur.

Preferred Experience:

• Two or more years hands on experience in sterile processing.
• Working knowledge of Instrument tracking systems and RMD tracibility.
• Working knowledge of Reusable Medical Devices and Infection Control Practices
• Level 2 VA Certification or Certification in Sterile Processing from outside entity
• Understanding of quality management, quality analysis, data capture, and creation of reports.
• Experience in project development and implementation.

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-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: Individuals who are required to operate a government owned or leased vehicle to successfully carry out their assigned duties must be medically cleared prior to appointment. Assessment must be made for any acute or chronic medical/physical condition or medication use which interferes with the ability operate the appropriate Government-owned or -leased vehicle safely and without undue risk to themselves or others. The following requirements must be met:

• distant vision 20/40 in one eye with or without correction,
• field of vision 70 degrees,
• ability to distinguish red, green and amber,
• whispered voice at five feet, or average hearing loss of not greater than 40 dbs. at 500, 1000 and 2,000 Hz.

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/.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by a body recognized by U.S. Department of Education at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the U.S. Department of Education website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

• 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 evaluation/examination.
• Valid driver's license required.
• 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.