Medical Supply Technician (Advanced) - SPS

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Jefferson Barracks (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The VA's Sterile Processing Service seeks a Medical Supply Technician (Advanced) at the GS-07 level to handle highly complex instrument processing and SOP compliance. The AMST works with SPS duties and manufacturing guidelines to ensure instrument readiness for procedures.

The role emphasizes advanced cleaning, sterilization, and clear communication with clinical teams; applicants may be tentatively selected while meeting all requirements.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience in sterile processing or related field.
• One year of higher education with 6 health care related semester hours.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education accepted.
• Foreign education must be evaluated for equivalence.

Responsibilities

• Assemble highly complex instrument sets for procedures.
• Operate and monitor sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• Follow SOPs and manufacturer guidelines for processing instruments.
• Communicate orally and in writing to share information with staff.

Skills

Complex surgical instrument knowledge

Assemble instrument sets

Sterilization and cleaning equipment

Written and verbal communication

Education

Health care related coursework (6 semester hours) or higher

Job description

The Medical Supply Technician (Advanced) in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) is above the full performance level. The AMST must be familiar with all duties performed in SPS, as well as the standard operating procedures and manufacturing guidelines. The GS-7 is a subject matter expert and has experience with the most complex processes.

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
• 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.
• 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:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
• Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs.

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-07 Advanced Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

• Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
  • Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets.
  • In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
  • Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others.
• Assignment. The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room. Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment. Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07

Physical Requirements

This position requires long periods of standing, walking, bending, and lifting. The incumbent usually stands and moves from one part of the department to another. There is a frequent requirement for lifting containers of stainless-steel instruments weighing in excess of 25 pounds from floor level to chest level. Dexterity and strength are required for lifting and positioning RMD. The incumbent regularly pushes loaded carts weighing several hundred pounds and loads them into elevators and through entryways. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and be able to shift priorities based on needs.