Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Salem (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs in Salem, VA, is seeking a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) to support the Sterile Processing Service at the Salem VA Medical Center. The role focuses on reprocessing and storing reusable medical equipment and collaborating with fellow MSTs.

This is an instrument cleaning/sterilization position, not a supply ordering role, and candidates meeting education or certification requirements may be tentatively selected pending meeting all criteria.

Qualifications

• KSAs include knowledge of surgical instruments and sterility principles.
• Proficient in universal precautions to prevent cross contamination.
• Able to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

Skills

Surgical instruments knowledge

Universal precautions

Medical terminology

Sterility principles

Reading instructions

Education

One year above high school with health care courses

Job description

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).

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:
  • 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.

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-06 Full performance level

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

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate 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.