Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) position for Veterans Health Administration in the Sterile Processing Service of the Salt Lake City George E. Whalen Hospital. This position will be supporting the decontamination - preparation - and sterilization - disinfection - and distribution of the facilities critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices.

Qualifications

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:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - paragraph 3g.) Experience and/or Education (1) Experience
• Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work
• OR (2) 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 (3) Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable 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: Experience: GS-07 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Coordinator In addition to meeting the basic requirements - one (1) 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
• GS-07 Medical Supply Technician Sterile Processing - Coordinator Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Practical knowledge of conventional fact-finding or investigative techniques in order to evaluate internal work processes
• Skill to develop - analyze and evaluate facts relative to unsatisfactory conditions or trends
• Knowledge of and skill in applying various methods and techniques for investigating - analyzing and recommending corrective action on complex quality problems
• Knowledge of the SPS policies and procedural manuals - infection control procedures - and accrediting agencies and quality assurance guidelines to assure appropriateness of work during quality assurance reviews
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word - Excel and other software programs
• Thorough knowledge of aseptic principles and techniques - which include sterilized operations - sterilizer mediums - and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization - packaging - storage - and shelf life
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives - rules and regulations
• Preferred Experience: Sterile Processing and/or Logistics (Supply Chain Management) and/or Biomed (Healthcare Technology) and/or IT experience Instrument tracking system experience operating - data entry - reporting
• Ability to generate and analyze reports on instrument and equipment usage - sterilization cycles - missing items - and Sterile Processing key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Understanding how the tracking system documentation supports adherence to healthcare regulations and audit requirements
• 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 GS-7. 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 MST may be required to work in areas that are hot - humid - 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 RMD - as well as discerning physical monitors and process indicators of equipment
• On a regular and recurring basis - the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment
• The employee wears special clothing - and personal protective equipment (PPE) that can be uncomfortably warm
• The Medical Supply is subject to burns and chemical exposure
• The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments - rumbling of carts and operation of equipment

Duties

• Assists in the orientation and training of SPS personnel and hospital staff of the IMS
• Assists in the efforts for the continuous performance improvement of provided services to ensure the goals of excellence in clinical outcomes and customer satisfaction
• Creates user profiles in the tracking system according to job position - with attention to the features and access levels needed for the position
• Assists in formulating and communicating policies and procedures for the ITS
• Assists staff in the proper use and utilization of the ITS to provide RMD and supplies in an efficient - accurate - and professional manner to all customers
• To achieve the primary purpose of the department the Instrument Tracking System Coordinator must plan and direct the day to day working of the tracking system and have a thorough understanding of the building - maintaining and development of the ITS for the facility
• Collaborates and communicates the objectives of the system - gives specific instructions - and prioritizes assignments according to departmental policy and procedure and guidance from the Sterile Processing Assistant Chief
• Receives - researches - and plans the implementation of new ITS services and features - and RMD as they become available
• Ensures continued utilization of the ITS features for consistent return of investment
• The Instrument Tracking System Coordinator acts as a liaison with the tracking systems' support services - facility and VISN levels of Information Systems - Biomed - and ITS software vendor and is the administrator for all hardware - software and accessory equipment needed to operate an efficient tracking system
• Demonstrates knowledge of the goals and functions of Sterile Processing - and the role of an effective tracking system contributes to a successful RMD program
• The Instrument Tracking System Coordinator will have in-depth knowledge of RMD - reprocessing processes and equipment related to decontamination - preparation - disinfection - sterilization - and distribution - and inventory management
• Assists in the review and development of policy and procedure regarding the RMD program
• Demonstrates attention and compliance to facility and SPS policies - standard operating procedures (SOPs) - competency assessment tools (CATs) - manufacturer instructions for use (MIFU) and record management
• Reviews - presents and initiates improvements of the ITS
• review - implement and track modifications made to RMD and reprocessing equipment inventory - RMD set count sheets - MIFUs - SOPs - CATs - diagnostic/functional testing - usage and preventive maintenance and quality feedback
• Collects and provides data to assist in establishing benchmarks for quality improvement
• Assists in collaboration and demonstrate excellent customer service with internal and external customers to ensure appropriate professional standards (i.e. - Directive - OSHA - The Joint Commission - CDC - AAMI/ANSI - etc.) - quality management - and performance improvement measures are consistently applied in the RMD program
• Assists in the development - review - and implementation of a disaster plan - including downtime procedures - regarding the ITS of the RMD
• Provides service level troubleshooting and collaborates with the ITS vendor in troubleshooting and documentation of system performance issues
• In addition to the above functions - the Medical Supply Technician must communicate both orally and in writing
• Work Schedule: M-F 6:00am-2:30pm Recruitment Incentive (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 #: 58669-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized