Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Portland Health Care System seeks a Medical Supply Technician to perform sterilization, preparation, and decontamination of reusable medical devices in the Sterile Processing Service. The role involves assembling instrument trays, distributing sterile items, and upholding safety standards and SOPs.

Work schedule is Monday–Friday, 3:30pm–11:30pm PST, with no telework. The incumbent will gain experience with a range of instruments, maintain equipment, and ensure readiness of operating room

Qualifications

• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology and instrument sets.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Sterilize, prepare, and decontaminate reusable medical devices.
• Assemble basic trays and instrument sets for patient care.
• Maintain SOPs and proper RMD handling per Sterile Processing Service.
• Operate sterilizers and related cleaning equipment.
• Assist in distribution of sterile items to care areas.

Skills

KSAs: sterilization knowledge

Oral and written communication

Attention to safety and cross-contam

Education

Two years of education above high school including 12 semester hours in health care courses

Job description

Summary

VA Portland Health Care System is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides extensive primary - secondary - tertiary - and quaternary care in outpatient - inpatient - residential - and community settings. VAPORHCS is a multi-site medical system that includes a major medical facility in Portland - Oregon - outpatient and residential facilities in Vancouver - Washington - and 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

Summary

VA Portland Health Care System is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides extensive primary - secondary - tertiary - and quaternary care in outpatient - inpatient - residential - and community settings. VAPORHCS is a multi-site medical system that includes a major medical facility in Portland - Oregon - outpatient and residential facilities in Vancouver - Washington - and 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

Qualifications

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: 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
• English Language Proficiency
• MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j - this part
• 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-03 Medical Supply Technician - Experience/Education Requirement: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04 Medical Supply Technician - Experience/Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-04 you must meet one of the following experience or education requirements: 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 US 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 (KSAs): 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 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 - Experience/Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-05 you must meet one of the following experience or education requirements: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (4)
• Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Performing segments of work pertaining to the decontamination - sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME)
• completing segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center
• operating equipment involved in sterilization processes
• preparing operating room case carts
• 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 (KSAs): In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: 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 (Full Performance Level) - Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-06 you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5)
• Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Removing soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids - and other containments by wiping - soaking - rinsing - and scrubbing
• Inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization - assembling basic sets and trays used throughout a medical facility including those used in the operating room
• preparing - loading - and operating sterilizers such as steam - Sterrad - Steris - ETO - and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor
• prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - you 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 regard to instrumentation
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures
• The full performance level for this qualification standard is the GS-06 grade level
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds
• Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• Pushing - 2 hours
• Reaching above shoulders
• Use of Fingers
• Both Hands Required
• Walking - 2 hours
• Standing - 4 hours
• Repeated bending - 1 hour
• Both Legs Required
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Environmental Factors: Outside and inside
• Slippery or uneven walking surfaces
• Excessive heat Working around machinery with moving parts
• Excessive cold
• Constant Noise
• Working hands in water.
  

Duties

• In this position - the incumbent will provide sterilization - preparation - supply items and reusable medical device decontamination and distribution support for the medical center
• The term supply item refers to disposable and reusable items for patient care including instrumentation (scissors - forceps - retractors - etc.) - reusable medical device (suction machines infusion pumps - etc.) - surgical trays and sets and various other items that could be processed or assembled through the preparation and decontamination areas of the Sterile Processing Service
• The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Device (RMD) as required by this position and will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) - which document the processes and procedures for cleaning - disinfection - and preparation of RMD appropriate to this position
• The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RMD appropriate to this position
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 3:30pm - 11:30pm PST Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized