Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A government health agency in Spokane is seeking an entry-level Medical Supply Technician (MST) to inspect, clean, and sterilize medical instruments. Candidates should have healthcare-related education and language proficiency. Responsibilities include ensuring instrument cleanliness, operating sterilization equipment, and maintaining quality records. Physical lifting and teamwork essential. The position is open continuously and welcomes eligible applicants.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or meet VA recruitment policy for non-citizens.
• Six months of experience in a relevant field.
• Must demonstrate medium physical ability including lifting and manual handling.

Responsibilities

• Examine and inspect medical instrumentation and supplies.
• Disassemble and clean technical medical devices.
• Sterilize surgical instruments according to instructions.
• Operate sterilization equipment and perform quality assurance.

Skills

English Language Proficiency

Knowledge of universal precautions

Basic medical terminology

Ability to communicate orally and in writing

Basic knowledge of surgical instruments

Education

One year above high school with health care courses

Job description

Summary

OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT, open until September 30, 2026. First cut‑off dates for referral of eligible applications will be 4/27/2026. All eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred to the hiring manager no later than 5/5/2026. Eligible applications received after 4/27/2026 will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as‑needed basis.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Experience: Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work.
• Education: One year above high school that included at least six semester hours in health care related courses such as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, or operating room and surgical technician courses.
• Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education qualifying entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
• Certification: None.
• Foreign Education: Education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.
• Grade Determinations: GS‑03, GS‑04, GS‑05, GS‑06 depending on experience and education.
• Assignments: Entry‑level MST, developmental level MST, full‑performance level MST, with varying responsibilities and supervision levels.
• KSAs for GS‑04 and above: Knowledge of universal precautions, basic medical terminology, sterilization and cleaning equipment, ability to communicate orally and in writing, basic knowledge of surgical instruments, event‑related packaging, and sterility principles.
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15‑44 pounds), pulling hand over hand, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing, repeated bending.
• Environmental Factors: Excessive noise, working closely with others, and working alone.
• Reference: For more information on qualification standards, visit www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• Examining and inspecting the condition of instrumentation, supplies, and reusable medical devices, ensuring proper collection, receipt, and transport of used, soiled RMD.
• Disassembling technical medical instrumentation and equipment, removing bioburden, and ensuring proper cleaning.
• Cleaning surgical instrumentation and RMD: systematic manual and automated cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization according to manufacturer instructions.
• Using knowledge of instrumentation to identify items requiring different cleaning methods for complex or expensive medical equipment.
• Manually cleaning, high‑level disinfection, and sterilizing endoscopes and other semi‑critical reusable medical equipment.
• Operating high‑ and low‑temperature sterilization equipment, including steam and hydrogen peroxide plasma, and performing quality assurance testing.
• Preparing and assembling trays and sets for use in various areas of the medical center, including multiple clinic and specialty areas.
• Reassembling surgical instrument sets for ophthalmic, urological, orthopedic, podiatry, and dental specialties.
• Considering patient procedure scheduling to determine instrument tray turnaround needs and recommending additional items to management.
• Packaging, wrapping, and sterilizing instrumentation, ensuring proper selection, protection, and packaging method based on size, number, and weight.
• Processing and sterilizing a wide variety of implant devices, ensuring non‑biologic implants are not released until the challenge test is complete.
• Using computer programs to perform record keeping, tracking operations, maintaining quality assurance records, and communicating with personnel.
• Providing peer training for new employees and user training for others on proper operating and preventive maintenance procedures.
• Identifying trends, recommending solutions, and implementing quality improvement initiatives related to program effectiveness.