Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Medical Supply Technician to join the Sterile Processing Service Line at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. This role involves performing sterilization, preparation, and distribution tasks to ensure the readiness of medical supplies and equipment, contributing to the well-being of veterans.

Qualifications

• Citizen of the United States required.
• Experience or education in healthcare-related courses required.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Provide sterilization and preparation of medical equipment.
• Support decontamination and distribution of reusable medical items.
• Assist within the Sterile Processing Service Line.

Skills

Knowledge of universal precautions

Basic medical terminology

Sterilization and cleaning equipment

Communication skills

Education

One year above high school

Completion of healthcare courses

Job description

The Medical Supply Technician (MST) works within the Sterile Processing Service Line at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. In this position, the incumbent will provide sterilization, preparation, supply items, and reusable medical equipment decontamination and distribution support for the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.

Duties

Medical Supply Aide and Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Supply-Aide-Career-Flyer.pdf

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following.

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.)
• b. 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.
• c. Certification. None.
• d. 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.

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 chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.

Grade Determinations

GS-3 (Entry Level)

Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

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. Successful completion of relevant military training may substitute for experience on a month-for-month basis for up to 6 months.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of universal precautions, basic medical terminology, sterilization and cleaning equipment, and communication skills.

GS-5 (Developmental Level)

Experience: One year of experience at the GS-4 level or higher; or Education: Bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in related courses.

AND

Same KSAs as GS-4, with additional knowledge of surgical instruments, event-related packaging, and sterilization.

GS-6 (Full Performance Level)

Experience: One year of experience at the GS-5 level or higher.

AND

Expanded KSAs including knowledge of surgical instruments, universal precautions, medical terminology, anatomy, microbiology, and the ability to interpret instructions.

Preferred Experience: Education in Sterile Processing, Certification in Sterile Processing VA-Level 2 or CRCST.

Reference: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Physical Requirements: Work involves physical strain, including walking, grasping, lifting, and carrying instruments. Work areas may be hot, cold, drafty, or poorly lit. The job involves standing, walking, bending, and lifting packages up to 50 pounds.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected ranges from GS-3 to GS-6.

All qualifying experience must be clearly described in your application. Failure to demonstrate experience, KSAs, and knowledge may result in disqualification. It is recommended to address each KSA specifically in your application.