Lead Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Portland Health Care System in Portland, Oregon seeks a Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) to supervise sterile processing workflows, train staff, and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. This GS-7 level role emphasizes leadership, prioritization, and adherence to regulatory procedures.

The position follows VA qualification standards, with grandfathering provisions for those already in related roles.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience in relevant work, or education meeting the course requirements.
• English proficiency as required for MST duties.
• Experience or education combination acceptable per VA standards.

Skills

Instruct staff

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Sterility knowledge

Leadership & prioritization

Education

One year of college with health care courses (6 sem hrs)

Healthcare-related coursework or equivalent

Job description

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.

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

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-07 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

• Experience: One year experience to the next lower grade level;
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:
  • 1. Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments.
  • 2. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations.
  • 3. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.
  • 4. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures.
  • 5. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments.

Reference:

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements:

Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Pushing, 2 hours; Reaching above shoulders; Use of Fingers; Both Hands Required; Walking, 2 hours; Standing, 4 hours; Repeated bending, 1 hour; Both Legs Required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors;

Environmental Factors:

Outside and inside; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Excessive heat Working around machinery with moving parts; Excessive cold; Constant Noise; Working hands in water;