Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) to support VHA VISN 17, VA North Texas Health Care System, and affiliated clinics.

The incumbent will lead sterile processing operations across multiple facilities, ensuring adherence to decontamination and sterilization standards. Qualified candidates have at least six months of related experience or education, one year of health care related coursework, and strong English proficiency.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience or educational background demonstrating ability to perform the work.
• Education: one year above high school with health care related courses as listed.
• English proficiency in spoken and written form is required for MST roles.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education is acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Receive, decontaminate, inspect and reprocess medical devices and RME per manufacturer instructions.
• Lead staff, prioritize work, and schedule assignments in the sterile processing area.
• Document operational checks and ensure compliance with sterility standards.
• Oversee use of cleaning methods (ultrasonic cleaners, washers, chemical agents) and sterilization methods (steam, ETO, Sterrad, Steris).

Skills

Sterile processing

Decontamination

Leadership

Communication

Instruction/Training

Education

One year of health care related courses (sterile processing, nursing assistant, OR tech, etc.)

Job description

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.

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).

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: 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.

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.

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 assignment

Preferred Experience:

1. 4 years experience as a Sterile Processing Technician.
2. Accredited Sterile Processing program or associates degree
3. Experience with Reusable Medical Devices, endoscopes, and surgical instrument reprocessing.
4. Leadership Experience: Supervisor/Lead, preceptor, trainer.
5. Certifications: CRCST or CSPDT. Advanced Credentials: CIS or CHL

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.