Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Federal health/vision/dental insurance

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Fresno, CA seeks a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) to inspect, prepare, assemble and determine sterilization methods for contaminated reusable medical equipment.

This is a full-time, GS-3/4/5/6 eligible position with a detailed qualifications path and federal benefits. The role requires knowledge of sterile processing, adherence to universal precautions and ability to work under supervision across decontamination, sterilization and case-cart

Qualifications

• Six months of experience or education in sterile processing.
• Two years of education above high school with health care related courses or equivalent.
• Proficiency in universal precautions and sterile technique.
• Knowledge of sterilization methods and packaging.

Responsibilities

• Receives guidance from more experienced staff and performs duties as assigned.
• Performs decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME).
• Assembles basic sets and trays; prepares operating room case carts daily.

Skills

Sterile processing

Decontamination procedures

Operating room knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Two years of education above high school with health-care related courses

Tools

Steam sterilizers

Sterrad sterilizers

Steris sterilizers

ETO sterilization

High-level disinfecting reprocessor

Job description

Summary

The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) inspects - prepares - assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization of contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME). This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT until September 30 - 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred daily.

Summary

The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) inspects - prepares - assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization of contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME). This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT until September 30 - 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred daily.

Qualifications

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
• 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
• 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: (1) 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
• (2) 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
• (3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status
• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS Creditable Experience Knowledge of Current MST Practices
• To be creditable - the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSAs) associated with MST responsibilities
• Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as a MST
• Quality of Experience
• Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MST experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher level duties must consist of significant scope - administrative independence - complexity (difficulty)
• Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a MST is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek
• For example - 20 hours a week - or on a 1/2-time basis - would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements of this position - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) GS-3 Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) GS-4 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 U.S. 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
• and Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets
• Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
• Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) GS-5 Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Performing segments of work pertaining to the decontamination - sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME)
• completing segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center
• operating equipment involved in sterilization processes
• preparing operating room case carts
• 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
• and Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings
• Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility
• Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment
• Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) GS-6 Experience
• In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-06 you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5)
• Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Removing soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids - and other contaminants by wiping - soaking - rinsing - and scrubbing
• Inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization - assembling basic sets and trays used throughout a medical facility 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
• prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule
• and Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• Preferred Experience: One year of experience in sterile processing
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Former VA Handbook Reference: Part II - Appendix G47 Effective Date: May 2814 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-3/4/5/6
• Physical Requirements: As required by VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• This work is performed in various settings: decontamination - preparation - clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Medical Supply Aide and Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Supply-Aide-Career-Flyer.pdf Medical Supply Technicians (MSTs) with the sterile processing service are assigned the following duties: Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) GS-3 Receives guidance from more experienced staff members and requires frequent and direct supervision
• Performs all duties as assigned
• Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) GS-4 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
• Receives guidance from more experienced staff members and requires frequent and direct supervision
• Performs all duties as assigned
• Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) GS-5 Removes soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids - and other contaminants 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
• Receives guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and requires direct supervision on new assignments
• Performs all duties as assigned
• Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) GS-6 Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in 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 manufactures instructions
• Inspects - prepares - assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam - Sterrad - Steris - EtO and high level disinfecting re-processors
• Prepares operating room case carts daily utilizing surgery schedule
• Removes soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids and other contaminants 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
• 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
• May be required to prepare operating room case carts
• Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment
• MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and SPS management
• Performs all duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Full-time - tour will vary - depending on needs of the Special Processing Service
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: To be determined when Grade Level is determined.