Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Amarillo (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Amarillo, TX seeks a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) to manage decontamination, sterilization, and preparation of reusable medical devices. The role requires adherence to SOPs and knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting.

Entry to full performance levels (GS-3–GS-6) are described with increasing responsibilities, supervision, and training. Experience or education combined with healthcare coursework is considered for placement.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and cross contamination.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology for instrument sets.
• Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Decontaminate, sterilize and inspect reusable medical equipment (RME).
• Assemble basic sets and trays for operating rooms and clinics.
• Load and operate sterilizers and prepare operating room carts daily.

Skills

Universal precautions

Communication skills

Medical terminology

Sterilization equipment knowledge

Education

Six months experience

One year health care courses

Two years post high school with 12 semester hours

AF/armed forces course substitution

Job description

The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) position is located within the Sterile Processing Service at the Amarillo VA Health Care System. The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD). The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of RMD appropriate to this position.

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.
• Certification. None
• 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.
• Physical Requirements. See physical requirements listed below.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Supply Technicians (MSTs) must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, of VA Handbook 5005.

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-3 (Entry Level)

Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Assignment. This is an entry level MST position. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision.

GS-4 (Developmental Level)

Experience. Six months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; or

Education. Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation.

NOTE: Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or nursing assistants obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces, the US. Maritime Service, or hospitals under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to 6 months of experience.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

• 1. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
• 2. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.
• 3. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• 4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.

Assignment. This is a developmental level MST position. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). Completes segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center. Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes. Prepares operating room case carts. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision.

GS-5 (Developmental Level)

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

Education. Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation or a bachelor's degree.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

• 1. Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• 2. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility.
• 3. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.

Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing. Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Prepares, loads, and operates sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high-level disinfecting scope reprocessor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments.

GS-6 (Full Performance Level)

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

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

• 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, medical conditions and procedures.
• 4. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.
• 5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

Assignment. This is the full performance level for the occupation. Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high-level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.

Preferred Experience:

• 1 or more years' experience working with surgical or clinical instrumentation
• Preferred Surgical Scrub Technician, endoscope reprocessing experience or formal education
• International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution certification.
• VA Level One certification for Sterile Processing Service

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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.

Physical Requirements:

Lift instrument pans that weigh up to 25 lbs. May also bend, stoop, and stand for long periods of time and push and pull large instrument carts.