Summary

This position is for the Sterile Processing Service - VA Puget Sound Health-Care System located in Seattle - WA.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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 and/or Education: 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
• 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: GS-03 (Entry Level) Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment: This is an entry level MST position
• MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision
• 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: Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets
• Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
• Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position
• Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination - sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME)
• 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
• Prepares operating room case carts
• MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision
• 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: Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings
• Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility
• Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment
• Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position
• Removes soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids - and other containments 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
• Prepares - loads - and operates sterilizers such as steam - Sterrad - Steris - ETO - and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor
• prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule
• MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments
• 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: Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings
• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination
• Working knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy and physiology - microbiology - medical conditions and procedures
• Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures
• Assignment: This is the full performance level for the occupation
• 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
• 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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements: This work requires moderate lifting (15-44lbs) - moderate carrying - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking - standing repeated bending - both legs required - ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Environmental factors are working outside and inside - excessive heat - excessive cold - constant noise - slippery or uneven walking surfaces - working around machinery with moving parts - working with hands in water - and working alone.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The duties listed refer to the GS-06 Full Performance Level (FPL): Removes gross contamination by soaking in appropriate Detergent Solutions - washing with a detergent blood solvent - scrubbing with a brush - rinsing in tap and then distilled water or washing in an ultrasonic unit and/or washer-sterilizer
• Decontaminates all reusable supplies and equipment in a manner rendering all decontaminated items safe for handling
• Determines proper methods and processes to follow per SOP's and Manufacturer's Instructions for use to decontaminate instruments and equipment
• Properly disassembles Surgical Instruments avoiding damage or unnecessary wear
• Uses seasoned judgment to ensure minimum potential for damage to equipment
• Have responsibility involved with one - or all - the following functions pertaining to Re-Usable Medical Equipment (RME) cleaning - disinfection - sterilization and preparation of equipment to full readiness for its subsequent use
• The result of these duties and responsibilities are to ensure the best possible product is delivered - the right item - at the right time - in the right condition - ready for use 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
• Removes items from washers and pass-through and determines type of tray or set to assemble based on recognition of key items and the operating room or clinic schedules
• Examines items to ensure that gross contamination has been removed
• if items remain contaminated they are sent back to Decontamination for complete reprocessing
• Assembles sets and trays by selecting appropriate tray - lining it with a towel - and arranging instruments in the tray in the correct manner
• Strives for a logically arranged package that will permit effective penetration of the sterilizing medium and ease of use by end user
• Visually examines items for damage - deterioration - or imperfections such as rust - pitting - and cracks
• Operates medical equipment to determine whether it operates correctly after re-assembly
• Sends malfunctioning or damaged equipment to repair or salvage unit
• Examines all types of reusable supplies and equipment
• Selects correct wrapping for the tray - and wraps and labels tray
• Monitors operation of sterilizer with prescribed tests
• Determines appropriate method of sterilization and attaches chemical indicator tape to package
• Sterilizes items referencing SOP's - Special Parameters list and or STERIS V-Pro/ETO authorized list to determine that correct parameters (e.g
• time - temperature - and pressure) were obtained
• Aerates gas-sterilized items for correct period and completes proper documentation
• Distributes items according to established requirements - special requests or as requisitioned
• Fills requests for items based on daily schedules of needs or on individual requisitions
• Consults with the Operating Room staff and our clinic customers on items in short supply or out of stock - recommending possible substitutions
• Rotates stock in accordance with the FIFO (First in - First out) system
• Assists with inventory of supplies needed for our production as well as our end users
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Oversees the work of lower-grade employees
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7am-3:30pm with weekend rotations at various intervals Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized