Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, VISN 10 in Indianapolis, IN seeks a Medical Supply Technician (MST) – Sterile Processing Service to support the Medical Center and eleven CBOCs.

The MST performs decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization of reusable medical devices, prepares operating room cases, loads sterilizers, and ensures compliance with SOPs and safety standards.

Qualifications

• US citizenship is required and non-citizens may be considered per VA policy.
• Six months of related experience or equivalent education acceptable.
• Education alternatives include one year above high school with healthcare courses or OJT equivalent.
• Knowledge of sterile processing and use of reprocessing SOPs is required.
• English language proficiency as per VA standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform decontamination, disinfection and sterilization of reusable medical devices.
• Prepare, load and operate sterilizers and instrument sets for hospital and clinics.
• Assemble trays, inspect packages and ensure proper sterilization indicators are met.
• Follow written SOPs, maintain current knowledge of processing procedures and safety.
• Support operating rooms, wards and dental clinics with sterile supply needs.

Skills

Surgical instruments

Universal precautions

Medical terminology

Sterility principles

Read and interpret procedures

Education

One year above high school with health care courses

Job description

Summary

The Medical Supply Technician (MST) - Sterile Processing Service (SPS) for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - VISN 10 - Indianapolis - IN under the Chief Sterile Processing and the Associate Director of Patient Care Services. SPS provides support to the Medical Center and eleven Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located throughout Indiana.

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: 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
• 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: 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 until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (3) 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
• e
• 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
• f
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• g
• English Language Proficiency
• MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j - this part 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified
• Preferred Experience: None above basic requirements Medical Supply Tech GS-06 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: 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
• 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
• Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination - preparation - sterile supply - and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus
• The MST may be required to work in areas that are hot - cold - drafty - and poorly lighted
• The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for prolonged periods of time - frequent bending and stretching/reaching - walking - and pushing fully loaded carts which must be negotiated up inclines and over rises - or positioning them
• There are frequent trips throughout the facility picking up soiled items or delivering clean/sterile devices
• The employee usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another while performing duties
• There is frequent requirement for lifting individual instruments - instrument trays - and items weighing up to 50 pounds from just above the floor to above the head
• The technician transports trays - devices and equipment on a variety of carts that may weigh several hundred pounds when full.

Duties

• The incumbent functions as a sterile processing technician performing a wide variety of duties - including the various cleaning - decontamination and sterilization processes associated Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) - which includes medical and surgical instruments reprocessing
• Major duties and responsibilities of this position includes but is not limited to: The incumbent will assume continuous training in support of the reprocessing of all types of reusable medical devices in support of the clinics - wards - dental and other services throughout the Medical Center
• The incumbent must determine the proper technique used to decontaminate - disinfect all types of medical devices and equipment - thus destroying microorganisms that present at threat to patient safety - the user and the individual(s) reprocessing
• The MST will have extensive knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) as required by this position
• The MST will be required to learn - and maintain current knowledge of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning - disinfection - preparation - and sterilization of RMD appropriate to this position
• Disassembles the RMD and determines the correct cleaning method - such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners - mechanical washers/disinfectors - cart washers - and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents - as determined by manufacturer instructions
• The MST will demonstrate their ability to follow the directions of a written procedure in the processing of RMD appropriate to this position
• Removes soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids - and other contaminants by wiping - soaking - rinsing - and scrubbing
• Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization - assembles sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room
• Prepares - loads - and operates sterilizers and scope reprocessors
• Prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday - Friday
• 2:00pm-10:30pm
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station: Not Authorized 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 (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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 #: 92211-A