Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Dallas/Fort Worth area seeks a Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) to oversee decontamination, sterilization, and distribution of reusable medical devices in a fast-paced VA system.

The role supports Bonham, FWOPC, Garland and Tyler Outpatient Clinic operations. The incumbent will lead staff, ensure adherence to SOPs and IFUs, maintain certifications, and work night shift with weekend coverage as needed, reflecting VA's commitment to patient

Qualifications

• Six months' experience or equivalent education in sterile processing.
• Ability to instruct staff on procedures and protocols.
• Knowledge of sterility principles for decontamination and sterilization.

Responsibilities

• Assembles complex instrument sets for major surgeries and endoscopes.
• Processes complex endoscopic instrumentation from multiple labs.
• Reviews IFUs to ensure correct cleaning, decontamination and sterilization.
• Troubleshoots equipment failures and interprets alarms during operation.
• Provides support for decontamination, preparation, sterilization and distribution of RMD.

Skills

Sterile Processing

RME Handling

IFU Interpretation

Leadership/Training

Education

High School + 1 year healthcare courses

Tools

Sterilization Equipment (steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO)

Job description

Summary

The incumbent serves as Lead MST - SPS for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - VISN 17 - VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) under the Associate Director for Patient Care Services. SPS provides support to the Medical Center - Bonham - Ft Worth Outpatient Clinic (FWOPC) - Garland and Tyler Outpatient Clinic.

The incumbent serves as Lead MST - SPS for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - VISN 17 - VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) under the Associate Director for Patient Care Services. SPS provides support to the Medical Center - Bonham - Ft Worth Outpatient Clinic (FWOPC) - Garland and Tyler Outpatient Clinic.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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 - this part
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: GS-07 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs
• Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments
• Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives - rules and regulations
• Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees - team leaders - and managers
• Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures
• Ability to lead individuals - manage priorities - and schedule work assignment Preferred Experience: 4 years experience as a Sterile Processing Technician
• Accredited Sterile Processing program or associates degree Experience with Reusable Medical Devices - endoscopes - and surgical instrument reprocessing
• Leadership Experience: Supervisor/Lead - preceptor - trainer
• Certifications: CRCST or CSPDT
• Advanced Credentials: CIS or CHL Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS7
• Physical Requirements: The position will require heavy lifting (45 pounds and over) - heavy carrying (45 pounds and over) - pulling hand over hand - walking (8 hours) - standing (8 hours) - and repeated bending.
  

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: Assembles highly complex instrument sets including - but not limited to - open heart - major orthopedic total joint - cardiovascular - craniotomy - and complex endoscopic instrumentation
• Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory - bronchoscopy laboratory - urology - and operating room
• Reviews manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs) to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning - decontaminating - and sterilizing RMD
• Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment - as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment
• Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or IFUs have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines
• Provides decontamination - preparation - sterilization - and distribution support of critical and semi-critical RMD for the Medical Center
• Maintains current knowledge of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning - disinfection - preparation - and sterilization of RMD appropriate to this position
• Completes training coursework and VA SPS certification as required for a Lead MST position in the VA
• Maintain certification by completing approved - annual Continuing Education Units (CEU) and annual in-service hours Work Schedule: (Night Shift) 11:30 pm - 8:00 am Sunday-Saturday - per the needs of the Service Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 #: 54444-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized