Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 40,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center seeks a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) to join the Sterile Processing Service. The incumbent performs decontamination, sterilization, packaging, and equipment readiness for patient care across departments.

Applicants must meet basic requirements including U.S. citizenship and either education or experience in healthcare-related sterile processing; English proficiency is required.

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

Responsibilities

• Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as 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 steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors.
• Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.

Skills

Surgical instruments knowledge

Universal precautions

Medical terminology

Sterility principles

Reading instructions

Education

One year of college health care courses

Job description

The Medical SupplyTechnician (Sterile Processing) position is located within the Sterile Processing Service at the Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

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:
  • 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; (Transcripts Must be submitted with your application) OR
  • Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. (Transcripts Must be submitted with your application) OR
• English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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-06 (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.

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-6.

Physical Requirements:

The work is performed in various settings: decontamination, 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 lit. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises and other injuries from material handling equipment. The workload requires standing, walking pushing, pulling, frequent bending, and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The workload requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The employee wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warm. The Incumbent will use insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers. The incumbent is subject to the possibility of burns from accidentally touching hot items. The incumbent will work around body fluids, mucous, excretions, tissue/bone some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or reusable medical equipment. The work area can be noisy due to processes and procedures used to accomplish job.