Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is seeking a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing), GS-06. The incumbent will decontaminate, clean, assemble, sterilize and distribute surgical instruments and reusable medical equipment following SOPs and manufacturer instructions to ensure safe, sterile items for patient care.

Candidates must meet basic requirements, including US citizenship, English proficiency, and either 6 months of experience or one year of health care related education;

Qualifications

• Six months of experience or one year of health care education related to sterile processing.
• Experience in decontamination, cleaning, assembly, and sterilization of surgical instruments.
• Ability to follow SOPs and manufacturer instructions to ensure sterile items.

Responsibilities

• Perform decontamination, cleaning, assembly, sterilization and distribution of sterilized instruments and equipment.
• Adhere to standard operating procedures and maintain safe handling practices.

Skills

Sterile processing

Surgical instruments

Universal precautions

Medical terminology

Procedures comprehension

Education

One year health care education beyond high school

Tools

Sterrad

Steam sterilization equipment

Job description

The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing), GS-06, West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, performs decontamination, cleaning, assembly, sterilization, and distribution of surgical instruments and reusable medical equipment. Follows SOPs and manufacturer instructions to ensure safe, sterile items are provided for patient care.

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.
• 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.
• 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).

Grandfathering Provision.

• 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.

Grade Determinations

In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the grade level requirements.

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Performing comprehensive sterile processing duties, including receiving and decontaminating contaminated reusable medical equipment, disassembling items and applying correct cleaning methods, inspecting and assembling surgical instruments and trays, and preparing them for sterilization using steam, Sterrad, and high-level disinfecting equipment. Additionally, completing and documenting daily checks on sterilization equipment and following detailed standard operating procedures and manufacturer instructions to ensure all instruments and equipment are cleaned, sterilized, packaged, and distributed safely and correctly.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

• 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/.

This position is at the Full Performance level GS-6.

Physical Requirements:

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.