MED SUPPLY TECH (STERILE PRO RMD Coordinator)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Medical Supply Technician in Sterile Processing to perform sterile processing and high-level disinfection of critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment.

The role includes maintaining quality assurance across all machines, scopes, and disinfectors. Applicants pending education or certification may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met; the position requires knowledge of SPS

Qualifications

• Six months of experience demonstrating ability in MST or related field.
• One year above high school with health care related coursework or equivalent.
• Combination of experience and education is acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Assembles highly complex instrument sets including endoscopic equipment.
• Processes and sterilizes medical devices according to SOPs and manufacturer guidelines.
• Monitors and troubleshoots sterilization equipment; ensures QA compliance.

Skills

SPS regulations

Infection prevention

Medical terminology

Sterilization equipment

Instrument sets

Universal precautions

Education

Health care coursework

Sterile processing training

One year above high school

Job description

The Medical Supply Technician in Sterile Processing primary function is responsible for sterile processing and/or high-level disinfectants of critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment, maintaining quality assurance with all the machines, scopes and high-level disinfectors. 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.
• Experience and/or Education.
• (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or
• (2) 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
• (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.

In addition to the Basic Requirements provided in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47, paragraph 2, the following are the grade requirements.

Grade Determinations

The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-07 (Advanced Level)

Experience

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-6) level. and/or 6 months experience equivalent to GS-07 Advanced Level Medical Supply Technician.

Creditable Experience

(1) Knowledge of Current MST Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with MST responsibilities. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as an MST.

(2) Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MST experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25%
of the time.

(3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as an MST is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, an MST employed 20 hours a week, or on a ½ time basis would receive 1 full-time workweek for 2 weeks of service.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

1. Knowledge of SPS and Infection Prevention regulations.
2. Knowledge of procedures and/or operations in training developed for, and operations of SPS functions for both new and existing staff.
3. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
4. In-depth knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.
5. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
6. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
7. Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in the operating and clinic settings.
8. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging regarding sterility.
9. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
10. Knowledge of surgical instrumentation used in operating rooms and clinical settings.
11. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
12. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions, and procedures.
13. Knowledge of sterility principles in regard to instrumentation.
14. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
15. Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating room and clinic settings.
16. Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets.
17. Knowledge and experience to process all complex endoscopic instrumentation
18. Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
19. Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets.
20. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
21. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others.

Assignment

The Advanced MST 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 guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. 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 instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines.

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-7.

Physical Requirements

This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty, and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.