Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a GS-07 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing). The position supports the Sterile Processing Service under the Associate Director of Patient Care Services.

Candidates should be eligible for the Grandfathering Provision and have knowledge of sterile processing SOPs for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of reusable medical devices.

Qualifications

• One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in health care related courses such as sterile processing or operating room courses.
• Experience: six months of experience or combination of education/experience.
• Foreign education: must be evaluated if completed outside the U.S.

Skills

Instruct staff

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Sterility knowledge

Leadership

Education

Healthcare-related coursework (one year above high school)

Job description

The Sterile Processing Service is under the Associate Director of Patient Care Services Office. Knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Device (RMD) as required by this position. 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. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• 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.
• 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.
• Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs.

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.
• 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 assignments.

Preferred Experience:

• HSPA, CBSPD certifications
• Knowledge in the reprocessing of RME and responsible for reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices, or supplies.

Reference:

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements:

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.