Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs James J. Peters VA Medical Center is seeking a Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing).

The incumbent leads Sterile Processing Service, delegates assignments, and ensures timeliness and quality of work in support of the SPS management team. Responsibilities include quality assurance, process improvements, staff supervision, and ensuring adherence to SOPs and manufacturer guidelines.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience that demonstrates ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work
• One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in health care related courses (sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, OR tech)
• English language proficiency required
• CRMST/CRCST IA HCSMM preferred but not required

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise Sterile Processing Service operations
• Oversee quality assurance and process improvements in SPS
• Monitor and document compliance with SOPs and regulatory standards
• Serve as subject matter expert guiding staff through proper procedures
• Coordinate workload and staffing to ensure timely completion of tasks

Skills

Sterile processing

Leadership

Staff supervision

QA oversight

SOP adherence

Education

One year of health care related studies beyond high school

Job description

Summary The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) works in the Sterile Processing Service at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center under the direct supervision of the Assistant Chief. The incumbent delegates assignments - monitors timeliness and quality of work - evaluates performance - serves as a subject matter expert for sterile processing and works in support of the SPS management team.

Qualifications

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. Required to finish 400 hours of hands‑on reprocessing experience for the VHA Sterile Processing Services (SPS) certification exam by VA medical facility SPS leadership or have a nationally recognized certification - completed within 1 year of appointment.

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 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
• English Language Proficiency
• MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j - this part
• 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 Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-08 you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7)
• Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Distributing and prioritizing workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations
• assuring an even workflow and distribution of the workload
• revising work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload
• assigning work to staff based on experience and training needs
• monitoring and reporting on the status of work
• reviewing work in progress or spot checking work not requiring review to ensure completed work meets supervisors' instructions on such things as work sequence - procedures - methods - and deadlines
• assessing the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning - reprocessing - and distribution of technical medical equipment - material and instrumentation
• In addition to the experience above - 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: Leadership experience - minimum 3 years of Sterile Processing Service experience in charge capacity - must have Certified Registered Medical Supply Technician (CRMST) - Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) - International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-08
• Physical Requirements: In Accordance With VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties are included but not limited to: Works in support of the Sterile Processing Service management team
• Oversight into all QA and process improvement in Sterile Processing Service
• Monitoring and documentation (e.g. - biologic - temperature / humidity - following SOPs) and reporting to SPS leadership - and oversight committees
• Will serve as the subject matter expert to guide staff through the proper procedures
• Responsible for checking the quality of the work - monitoring and reporting on the status of the work being performed - ensuring that all work adheres to established policies and procedures - reviewing work in progress and spot checking work not requiring review to ensure completed work meets the demands of the facility and quality standards - assessing the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning - reprocessing - and distribution of reusable medical devices (RMD) processed - supplies - and providing information to management officials concerning performance issues - assignment changes and task completion
• Must be familiar with all of the duties performed in Sterile Processing Service as well as standard operating procedures and manufacturers guidelines and should be able to support the staff to finish the work
• Covers the QA Coordinator during absences
• Responsible to create high-risk policies - protocols based on manufacturer instructions and to complete employees' competencies
• Complete work assignments with relative independence and minimal guidance - personally setting the deadlines for work completion
• Assumes responsibility in work assignments in accordance with regulations and independently resolves most conflicts by using considerable judgment and interpretation
• Possesses knowledge of the area SOPs and high-risk protocols related to Sterile Processing Service instruments
• Administrative responsibility for planning and directing the work
• Oversees attendance and leave - including approval of sick and annual leave and vacation schedules
• Resolves informal complaints of employees and deals with union representatives on personnel matters
• Provides technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the organizational unit
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:00am - 3:30pm
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 21Q16A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.