Duties

Summary

The MST (Sterile Processing) GS-06, is at the full performance level for the position. The MST is responsible for receiving contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME) in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well.

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Responsibilities

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. Incumbent has a clear understanding of the importance of reprocessing RME according to manufacturer guidelines and the significant impact on the Veteran population through the risk of infectious disease.

• Utilizes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required.
• Responsible for the collection, receipt, inspection, cleaning and decontamination processing of soiled instruments, equipment, and apparatus to include complex diagnostic equipment and medical apparatus.
• Completely and thoroughly dissembles and positions all parts of complex technical RME to ensure the removal of any debris, surgical soil and bio-burdens prior to sterilization or high level disinfection.
• Performs required leak tests to endoscopic equipment to determine that the water tight integrity of the scope is intact before initiating the cleaning and high level disinfection process.
• Performs multi-step procedures to effectively reprocess endoscopes, i.e. cystoscopes, ureteroscopes, bronchoscopes, colonoscopes, and other various endoscopic instruments.
• Operates decontamination equipment such as washer decontaminators, ultrasonic washers, automatic endoscope reprocessors, equipment irrigators, laparoscopic insulation tester, automatic cart wash, and tube dryers, etc.
• Uses, interprets and records results from quality assurance monitors, i.e. Ruhof ATP Complete ATP tester system, All-Clean washer disinfector validation system, etc.
• Performs and validates all cleaning of instrumentation and RME through the use of department SOPs, manufacturer's instructions for use guidelines, Medical Center Memorandums, and VA policies and directives, along with industry standards published by organizations such as, Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM), American National Standard/Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (ANSI/AMMI), Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), etc.
• Reads and understands Material Data Safety Sheets.
• Performs inspection, assembly, packaging, and terminal sterilization of all trays, sets, and packs for use throughout the medical center.
• Determines the criticality category of RME using the Spaulding Classification System and interprets sterilization parameters provided by the manufacturer's instructions for use guidelines to determine the proper method of sterilization.
• Interprets gauge readings and mechanical printouts on sterilization equipment to validate that sterilization of RME is within acceptable parameters.
• Interprets printout for Automatic Endoscope Processors used for high level decontamination to ensure that disinfection has met all parameters.
• Maintains records for all sterilization procedures that are processed including interpretation of all biological monitoring, validation of monitoring results, and quality assurance checks to ensure sterilization parameters are met.
• Troubleshoot complex sterilizers used in the medical center to ensure optimal operation.
• Performs high level disinfection using Rapicide PA, or equivalent according to manufacturer's instructions for use guidelines.
• Assembles major and minor complex surgical instrument tray/sets with general and intractably complex instrumentation and instrument packs used for a variety of general and specialized medical and surgical procedures.
• Assembles surgical case carts according to physician preference and computer generated picking lists for use in operating rooms. Interprets and assesses instrumentation and supply needs for individual cases.
• After sterilization, performs quality assurance activities including monitoring biological and chemical indicators, Bowie dick tests, time/temperature graphs, and ensuring appropriate RME checks are documented after sterilization (tech check tech).
• Follows manufacturer's written instructions when reprocessing RME. Verbal instructions alone are not adequate. Consults with Sterile Processing supervisors and Infection Control when clarification on written instructions are needed.
• Properly monitors temperature, humidity, air flow, and air exchanges to ensure proper environment for RME reprocessing.
• Rotates on-call coverage to ensure SPS coverage for the medical center 24/7
• This is not an all inclusive list of duties.

Work Schedule: 8 hour shifts (07-1530, 15:00-23:30)
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j

Preferred Experience: Operating Room experience preferred but not required.

Grade Determinations:
GS-06 (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.(b) 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 regards to instrumentation.5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.(c) 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/76, Part II, Appendix G47. Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standards.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• VA Form 10-2850c - Application for Associated Health Occupations
• Resume

VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf .
Application must be current and up to date. Applications with expired information will result in a disqualified status.

Resume

• • Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
  • For qualifications determinations your resume must contain your name, hours worked per week and the dates of employment with a detailed description of the duties performed (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as incomplete and you will not receive consideration for this position.
  • If you are claiming licensure, you must include the License Type, Expiration date, Licensure Number.
  • If you are using education and or certifications, this information must be clearly stated in the body of your resume. You must include Name, School and type of Degree and Year of Graduation, certifications must include certifying body, certification number and expiration of certification.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For additional information see: What to include in your resume .

Unofficial transcript (Note: if selected for position, official transcripts will be required)

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• OF-306
• VA Form 10-2850c - Application for Associated Health Occupations
• Performance Appraisal
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.