Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

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

Job summary

The Charleston VA Healthcare Network is seeking a Medical Supply Technician to support sterilization, preparation of supplies, decontamination, and distribution of reusable medical equipment across the facility.

Candidates should have knowledge of sterilization processes, operating room instrumentation, and the ability to follow written instructions; this role includes loading sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and reprocessors, and assisting with case carts.

Qualifications

• 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 regard to instrumentation.
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide sterilization and preparation of supplies.
• Decontamination and distribution support for reusable medical equipment.
• Load, operate and monitor sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high-level disinfection scope reprocessors.
• Prepare operating room case carts daily using the surgery schedule.

Skills

Surgical instruments knowledge

Universal precautions

Medical terminology

Sterility principles

Reading instructions

Job description

The Charleston VA Healthcare Network is recruiting for a Medical Supply Technician! The incumbent will provide sterilization and preparation of supplies, as well as decontamination and distribution support for reusable medical equipment.

Basic Requirements.

• English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Citizenship: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.

GS-06 (Full Performance Level): Experience

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.Experience equivalent to the GS-05 includes, but is not limited to: removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing; inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembling basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room; preparing, loading, and operating sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor; preparing operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule.

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 regard to instrumentation.
5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

Preferred Experience:

• Certification - Sterile Processing
• Quality assurance experience with equipment

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 will be selected for this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements

This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, Needle Sticks, and other injuries from handling devices. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of sterile products and packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.