Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Tampa, FL seeks a Medical Supply Technician for Sterile Processing to aid in sterilization, decontamination, and transport of reusable medical devices. The role requires basic MST knowledge, six months’ experience, and health-care related coursework.

Eligible for a GS-06 federal position, with on-site duties and comprehensive federal benefits. Applicants may be referred before all requirements are met; formal qualification completion may be required for

Qualifications

• Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work; or an understanding of the work.
• One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in healthcare related courses.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education acceptable.
• Knowledge of current MST practices and universal precautions is creditable.

Responsibilities

• Assist in sterilization of reusable medical devices (RMD).
• Assist in decontamination of RMD.
• Aid in transportation of RMD between areas.
• Follow safety guidelines for sterilization procedures.

Skills

MST practices

Experience

Part-time experience

Reading instructions

Education

One year above high school with healthcare courses

Job description

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the James A. Haley VA Hospital (JAHVAH) in Tampa, Florida, and at adjacent clinics. The Medical Supply Technician within the Sterile Processing service assists in the sterilization, decontamination, and transportation of Reusable Medical Devices (RMD). 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

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.)

English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j,

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.

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. Applies to current Veterans Health Administration (VHA) employees ONLY.

Physical Requirements:

The Physical Requirements for the position require heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); heavy carrying (45 pounds and over); use of fingers and both hands; straight pulling (8 hours); pushing (8 hours); walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); kneeling (8 hours); repeated bending (8 hours); both legs required; working outside and inside; excessive heat; excessive humidity; excessive noise, intermittent; constant noise; solvents (degreasing agents); slippery or uneven walking surfaces; working around machinery with moving parts; working around moving objects or vehicles; working with hands in water; working closely with others; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4. far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception and the ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); operation of transport equipment; working alone; protracted or irregular hours of work; unusual fatigue factors (Repetitive motions).

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. 3
• 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) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
• Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a MST is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MST employed 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 Requirements

1. (1) 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.
2. (2) 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) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
3. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a MST is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MST employed 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 REQUIREMENTS

GS-06 (Full Performance Level)

(a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

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.

(c) 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/