Medical Supply Technician

Indian Health Service; Kayenta (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Indian Health Service (IHS) seeks a Medical Supply Technician to process sterile supplies and support safe patient care. The role emphasizes decontamination, sterilization of instruments, and ongoing inventory control in a federal healthcare setting.

The selected candidate will maintain equipment, ensure infection control standards, and support clinical operations across wards and clinics while complying with federal requirements and security policies.

Responsibilities

• Decontamination, instrument preparation, equipment maintenance, storage, and issuing of sterile supplies.
• Prepares the full range of trays and sets used on the wards and in the clinics of the facility.
• Selects appropriate method for sterilizing, tests operation of equipment for effective sterilization.
• Disassemble and clean equipment, reassemble after cleaning and operate to test for proper functioning.
• Periodically inventories medical supplies, equipment, record keeping.
• Exercises appropriate infection control precautions when handling contaminated articles.

Job description

Summary

At the Indian Health Service (IHS), Medical Supply Technicians do more than process sterile supplies - they help change lives. Guided by our mission to improve the health of American Indian and Alaska Native communities, you'll play a vital role in delivering safe, compassionate care where it's needed most. Join IHS and make a lasting difference.

Summary

At the Indian Health Service (IHS), Medical Supply Technicians do more than process sterile supplies - they help change lives. Guided by our mission to improve the health of American Indian and Alaska Native communities, you'll play a vital role in delivering safe, compassionate care where it's needed most. Join IHS and make a lasting difference.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Duties

• Decontamination, instrument preparation, equipment maintenance, storage, and issuing of sterile supplies.
• Prepares the full range of trays and sets used on the wards and in the clinics of the facility.
• Selects appropriate method for sterilizing, tests operation of equipment for effective sterilization.
• Disassemble and clean equipment, reassemble after cleaning and operate to test for proper functioning.
• Periodically inventories medical supplies, equipment, record keeping.
• Exercises appropriate infection control precautions when handling contaminated articles.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period

U.S. Citizenship is required

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

This is a competitive vacancy announcement advertised under Delegated Examining Authority. Selections made under this vacancy announcement will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given new appointments to the civil service; however, benefits, time served, and all other Federal entitlements would remain the same.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation Requirement

This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement

This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Basic Requirement(s)

Individual Occupational Requirements Specialized

Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above):

Experience in processing, assembling, trouble-shooting, preparing, sterilizing, storing, and issuing sterile and unsterile medical supplies and equipment. The applicant must possess knowledge of the technical names, general uses, physical characteristics, and operating conditions of medical supply items; knowledge of decontamination, cleaning, preparation, sterilization, and storage procedures; knowledge of aseptic techniques; and skill in operating a washer-sterilizer, ultrasonic instrument cleaners, and gas and steam sterilizers. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work as an operating room technician, medical instrument technician, nursing assistant, corpsman, or laboratory worker.

In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below-

Minimum Qualifications

GS-06: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience obtained in the private or public sector. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: independently processing reusable medical equipment (RME), surgical instruments, and medical supplies through decontamination, inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization, storage, distribution, and tracking; applying knowledge of infection prevention and control practices, aseptic techniques, and sterilization procedures; and operating, testing, or monitoring equipment such as washer-disinfectors, ultrasonic cleaners, steam sterilizers, and low-temperature sterilization systems to support safe and effective patient care.

Central Sterile Reprocessing Technician certification is preferred but is not required for this position.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

There are no education requirements. However, if you are substituting education for experience: You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests:

If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case‑by‑case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

• This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.
• This position has no promotion potential.
• On-call hours or standby duty may be required. Position subject to rotating shifts; days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine‑preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.
• This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101‑630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions.

• How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government?
• In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?
• How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role?
• How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?
• Your responses are optional and will not be scored.
• However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process.
• You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.