Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration seeks a Medical Supply Technician (Quality Assurance) at the GS-7 level in the James A. Haley VA Hospital's Sterile Processing Services (SPS).

The QA Technician oversees decontamination, preparation, sterilization, endoscope reprocessing, storage, and distribution to support patient care. Candidates must meet basic requirements and demonstrate KSAs in quality assurance, sterile processing, and data analysis.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-6.
• Knowledge of surgical instruments and sterility standards.
• Ability to analyze data and prepare reports.

Responsibilities

• Monitor cleaning, decontamination and sterilization processes.
• Oversee distribution of medical equipment to departments.
• Develop QA procedures and perform quality reviews.

Skills

Instruments knowledge

Universal precautions

Medical terminology

Anatomy & physiology

Sterility principles

Data analysis

Report writing

Communication

Education

Health care courses

Job description

The Medical Supply Technician (Quality Assurance) at the GS-7 position in the Sterile Processing Services Department (SPS) in the James A. Haley VA Hospital. The Quality Assurance Technician has expert knowledge of all areas in Sterile Processing including decontamination, preparation, assembly, sterilization, endoscope reprocessing, sterile storage, and distribution.

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. 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). English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, 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. Certification. None. Creditable Experience 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 a MST. 3 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. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a MST is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MST employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS GS-07 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Quality Assurance Experience. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-6) grade level which are: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of fact-finding and investigative techniques in order to evaluate work processes. Ability to analyze data and make recommendations to correct quality control problems. Knowledge of sterile processing operations, infection control procedures, and Joint Commission requirements to assess compliance during quality assurance reviews. Ability to compile information, evaluate facts, document findings and prepare reports. Thorough knowledge of aseptic principles and techniques to maintain quality control. Ability to effectively communicate with technical and professional staff on the proper use of delicate instruments and equipment and resolve problems that may occur.

Assignment. The Quality Assurance (QA) Technician serves as the monitoring specialist for all activities of SPS, which includes the operating room case cart management system. Monitors the process of cleaning/decontamination, sterilization, reprocessing, and distribution of critical, semi-critical and non-critical RME. This includes following the use of bacteriological controls, principles and methods of sterilization, packaging, and assembly of simple to more complex items for therapeutic and surgical procedures. Develops procedures to evaluate the quality of work performance and outcomes as it relates to the quality assurance program. Maintains a system of internal and external reviews ensuring overall compliance of all critical, semi-critical and non-critical RME used within the medical center. Tracks a