Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Big Spring (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs invites applications for a Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) in Texas. The role leads daily SPS operations, directs staff, and ensures compliance with quality standards and survey readiness.

Responsibilities include coordinating RMD documentation, managing training and competency, and maintaining safety and accurate inventory across the Sterile Processing Service. Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience demonstrating the ability to perform the work or to understand the work.
• One year above high school with health care related courses (sterile processing, nursing assistant, OR tech, etc).
• English language proficiency required per VA policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for day-to-day SPS operations under the Chief, Sterile Processing Service.
• Exercise supervisory authority for workload distribution, time-and-attendance, and leave approval.
• Assign, monitor, and review work for completeness, accuracy and compliance.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide mentoring and feedback.
• Serve as the Chief’s designee and backup for SPS operations during absences.
• Collaborate to ensure survey readiness and adherence to accreditation requirements.
• Act as Quality Technician: develop, monitor, report quality metrics, and conduct audits.
• Maintain RMD inventory, review IFUs, and ensure SOPs reflect current validated instructions.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Quality management

Training and competency

Documentation and audits

Education

Health care coursework (one year+ high school)

Six months related experience

Job description

Overview

Summary: The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) provides leadership for daily operations and functions as both the Quality Technician and Reusable Medical Device (RMD) Coordinator within the Sterile Processing Service (SPS). The MST Supervisor directs daily SPS operations, oversees staff training and competency development, manages quality assurance programs, coordinates all RMD documentation, and maintains ongoing survey readiness.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for day-to-day SPS operations under the direction of the Chief, Sterile Processing Service.
• Exercise delegated supervisory authority for workload distribution, time-and-attendance, and leave approval.
• Assign, monitor, and review work for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide mentoring and feedback.
• Serve as the Chief’s designee and backup for SPS operations during absences.
• Collaborate with the Chief and Team Lead to ensure continuous survey readiness and adherence to local accreditation requirements.
• Quality Management (acts as Quality Technician): develop, monitor, and report quality metrics.
• Conduct audits of sterilization documentation, biological indicators, load records, and CensiTrac data; analyze trends and implement corrective and preventive actions; prepare quality reports for local leadership.
• Maintain all local quality-assurance files and evidence-of-compliance documentation.
• RMD Coordinator Responsibilities: act as the RMD Coordinator for SPS in accordance with VHA Directive 1116(2); maintain the facility\'s RMD inventory and ensure precise risk classification of all devices; review and distribute manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFUs) and verify SOPs and competency assessments reflect current validated instructions in compliance with VHA Directive 1116(2).
• Training, Competency, and SOP Management: develop, implements, and evaluates the SPS training and competency program; review, write, and revise SOPs and competencies to reflect current IFUs and standards; maintain official training files and competency validation records.
• Safety and Patient Care: ensure compliance with VHA Directive 1050.01(1) and related quality and patient safety programs; report equipment or utility failures to Biomedical Engineering/HTM; promote safe handling and transport of RMDs to prevent cross-contamination; perform other related duties as assigned to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations.
• Oversee daily operations and assess staff performance using quality management systems, auditing, and data analysis.

Qualifications

• 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 and/or Education: Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant\'s ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work, or education as described below.
• 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, operating room and surgical technician courses, or other related courses.
• Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
• English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA policy.
• Grandfathering Provision: 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: GS-08 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Experience — One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; in addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1) Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds; 2) Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed; 3) Ability to oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RME; 4) Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues.
• Preferred Experience: National Certification. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit the VA Qualification Standards website.
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08; the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected is GS-08.
• Physical Requirements: Occasional travel may be required for VA-sponsored training or temporary on-site support at other VA facilities; travel may be required during emergency shutdowns or for transporting RMDs to/from CBOCs; RMDs may not be transported outside of a government vehicle; distant vision 20/40 in one eye (with or without correction), field of vision 70 degrees, ability to distinguish red, green, and amber; whispered voice at five feet; average hearing loss not greater than 40 dB at specified frequencies.
• Work Schedule / Notes: Typical schedule is Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm; additional details on relocation, telework, and benefits are described in the original posting but may be adjusted per agency policy.

Employment Details

• Location: VA healthcare facility
• Trial period and benefits: as described by VA policies; final details determined at hire