Summary

VA Portland Health Care System is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides extensive primary - secondary - tertiary - and quaternary care in outpatient - inpatient - residential - and community settings. VAPORHCS is a multi-site medical system that includes a major medical facility in Portland - Oregon - outpatient and residential facilities in Vancouver - Washington - and 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

Qualifications

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
• Medical Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy 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
• or Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable
• 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
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 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 regard 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 re-processor
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 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 regard to instrumentation
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures
• References: 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 may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting/carrying 15-44 lbs.
• pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required
• walking 2 hours
• standing 6 hours
• both legs required
• ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors
• hearing aid permitted.

Duties

• The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Device (RMD) as required by this position
• The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning - disinfection - sterilization - and preparation of RMD appropriate to this position
• The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RMD appropriate to this position
• The employee is under the supervision of the Assistant Chief - Sterile Processing Service
• - The supervisor and/or Service Chief will assign work with standing instructions on objectives - priorities - and deadlines - and provides guidance for unusually involved situations
• - The employee will work as team member with other Medical Supply Technicians of various experience to carry out the daily work utilizing the written standard operating procedures and/or manufactures written instructions in accordance with instructions - policies - previous training - or accepted/standard practices
• - The supervisor evaluates completed work for overall technical soundness and conformance to agency policies through competency assessment utilizing simulation - direct observation - and verbal responses from the incumbent
• Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions
• Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans - their representatives - visitors - and all VA staff) in a courteous - tactful - and respectful manner
• Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures
• Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately
• Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws - federal regulations - VA statutes and policy - and VHA policy
• Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss - alteration - or unauthorized deletion
• Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files - release of access codes - etc. - as set out in the Rules of Behavior recertification that the employee completes annually
• The employee will have Technician access level to the Censitrac inventory software
• This software is designed to execute several office automation functions such as instruments tracking - documenting production - instrument maintenance and repairs
• The incumbent typically stands and moves from one area of the room to another while performing duties
• There is a frequent requirement for lifting packages and bundles weighing 25 pounds from carts to storage shelves
• The incumbent regularly pushes loaded carts weighing several hundred pounds - aligns them on tracks leading to automatic transport systems in sometimes crowded quarters and works them over slight rises such as door sills
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized