Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Marion (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Marion VA Health Care System is recruiting for a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) in Marion, Illinois. The role encompasses advancing sterile processing knowledge and applying safety practices in a clinical setting.

Applicants must meet basic requirements, with multiple GS grade determinations outlined; experience and education pathways are provided, including grandfathering provisions for current staff. The position emphasizes KSAs and sterilization procedures.

Qualifications

• Basic safety knowledge and universal precautions.
• Knowledge of medical terminology for operating room/instrument sets.
• Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.

Skills

Safety concepts

Medical terminology

Sterilization equipment

Communication

Education

One year of college coursework (health care related)

12 semester hours in related courses (sterile processing)

Job description

The Marion VA Health Care System is actively recruiting for a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) position located in Marion, IL

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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. 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

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

The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-03 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Experience. Six months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; or

Education. Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation.

NOTE: Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or nursing assistants obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces, the U.S. Maritime Service, or hospitals under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to 6 months of experience.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:

• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.
• Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing

GS-05 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; or

Education. Four academic years above high school leading to a Bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation or a Bachelor's degree.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility.
• Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment

GS-06 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:

• Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures.
• Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

Preferred Experience

Experience in Sterile Processing as a Medial Supply Technician or Operating room experience. Preferred additional certification ( examples: Certified Registered Central Service, Certified Endoscope Reprocessing, Certified Instrument Specialist, Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)

Reference

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6.

Physical Requirements

This position requires long periods of standing, walking, bending, and lifting. The incumbent usually stands and moves from one part of the department to another. There is a frequent requirement for lifting containers of stainless-steel instruments weighing more than 25 pounds from floor level to chest level. Dexterity and strength are required for lifting and positioning RMD. The incumbent regularly pushes loaded carts weighing several hundred pounds and loads them into elevators and through entryways. The incumbent must be capable of working effectively in stressful situations and be able to shift priorities based on needs.