Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Salem (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at the Salem VA Medical Center in Salem, Virginia, seeks a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing).

This role processes reusable medical equipment, disassembles, cleans, inspects, and sterilizes using steam, Sterrad, Steris, and ETO methods in a fast-paced SPS unit. The position requires knowledge of surgical instruments, sterility principles, and aseptic technique, with duties spanning decontamination, assembly, packaging, and documentation.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience demonstrating ability to perform the work or understanding of the work.
• One year above high school with health care related coursework or equivalent experience.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education acceptable for entry level.

Responsibilities

• Receives contaminated reusable medical equipment (RME) in the decontamination area.
• Disassembles and determines cleaning method using ultrasonic cleaners, washers, and chemical agents as instructed.
• Inspects, assembles, and determines correct sterilization method (steam, Sterrad, Steris, or ETO).
• Performs daily checks and maintains documentation for all processes and equipment.
• Supports 24/7 operation with schedule flexibility as service needs dictate.

Skills

Surgical instruments knowledge

Universal precautions

Medical terminology

Sterility principles

Ability to read instructions

Education

Health care-related coursework (1 year above high school)

Tools

Ultrasonic cleaners

Mechanical washers/disinfectors

Sterilizers (Steam, Sterrad, Steris)

ETO/High-level disinfection systems

Job description

Summary

This is a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) position in the Sterile Processing Service of the Salem VA Medical Center in Salem - Virginia. If you have experience reprocessing and storing Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and enjoy working with other MSTs - we would love to hear from you. (This is an instrument cleaning/sterilization position - not a supply ordering position).

Summary

This is a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) position in the Sterile Processing Service of the Salem VA Medical Center in Salem - Virginia. If you have experience reprocessing and storing Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and enjoy working with other MSTs - we would love to hear from you. (This is an instrument cleaning/sterilization position - not a supply ordering position).

Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j - this part
• 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 Determination:GS-06 (Full Performance Level):: Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - thecandidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:1
• Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.2
• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.3
• Working knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy and physiology - microbiology - medicalconditions and procedures.4
• Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.5
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures
• 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
• straight pulling (1 hour)
• pushing (1 hour)
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• both hands required (to be able to effectively clean instrumentation - individuals must be able to hold them with one hand and brush/clean them with the other)
• walking (up to 4 hours)
• standing (up to 4 hours)
• kneeling (less than 1 hour)
• repeated bending (1-4 hours)
• climbing legs only (less than 1 hour)
• both legs required
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeger 1 to 4
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• depth perception
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• ability to distinguish shades of colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• emotional/mental stability.

Duties

• Duties: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME) in the decontamination area
• Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method - such as ultrasonic cleaners - mechanical washers/disinfectors - cart washers - and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents as determined by manufacturer instructions
• Inspects - assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilizations - such as steam - Sterrad - Steris - and high-level disinfecting scope reprocessors
• Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all processes and equipment
• May be required to work in areas that are hot - cold - drafty and poorly lighted
• 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 Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing- GS-06) provides full-performance sterile processing support within Sterile Processing Service (SPS)
• Independently receives - decontaminates - inspects - assembles - packages - and sterilizes reusable medical equipment (RME) using approved cleaning methods and sterilization systems (steam - Sterrad - Steris - ETO - high-level disinfection)
• Performs daily equipment checks - maintains documentation - and ensures adherence to infection-control and safety standards
• Supports a 24/7 operation - with potential schedule flexibility based on service needs
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 1:00pm - 9:45pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Autorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Autorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Autorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Autorized