Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Advanced

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.

01Basic 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. Foreign Education.

To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs.

02Grade Determinations

GS-07 (Advanced Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.

Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others. Assignment. The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room.

Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment.

Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines. 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-7. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy is GS-07.

03Physical Requirements

See Handbook 5019.

Develop procedures to evaluate the quality of work performance and outcomes in relation to the quality assurance program. Maintains a system of internal and external reviews, ensuring overall compliance of all critical, semi-critical, and non-critical RMD used within the Medical Center. This includes following the use of bacteriological controls, principles, and methods of sterilization, packaging, and assembly of simple to more complex items for therapeutic and surgical procedures.

Major duties include, but not limited to: Performs advanced sterile processing functions involving the decontamination, inspection, assembly, sterilization, storage, and distribution of complex reusable medical devices (RMD). Processes complex surgical and endoscopic instrumentation used in operating rooms, specialty clinics, and procedural areas, including cardiovascular, orthopedic, neurosurgical, open-heart, and other specialty procedures.

Assembles and verifies complex and specialty instrument sets, ensuring instruments are complete, functional, properly arranged, and ready for patient care. Interprets and applies manufacturer's Instructions for Use (IFUs), established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and applicable sterile processing requirements to ensure appropriate processing of RMD. Operates, monitors, and troubleshoots complex decontamination, cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization equipment.

Analyzes equipment malfunctions, alarm conditions, and processing failures and takes appropriate corrective action or escalates issues when necessary. Performs quality control activities to verify that cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and monitoring processes are completed according to established requirements. Identifies improperly processed, damaged, incomplete, or malfunctioning instruments and coordinates appropriate corrective action prior to release for patient use.

• Provides technical guidance and assistance to other Medical Supply Technicians regarding complex instrumentation, equipment operation, assembly techniques, and processing requirements.
• Communicates changes to SOPs, IFUs, processing methods, and equipment requirements to appropriate staff and assists with implementation of validated process changes.
• Maintains appropriate documentation and records related to sterilization, equipment operation, quality assurance, and processing activities.

Coordinates with Operating Room, clinical services, infection prevention, Logistics, and other stakeholders to resolve complex sterile processing issues and support continuity of patient care. Participates in process improvement activities designed to improve instrument availability, processing quality, workflow efficiency, and patient safety.

Serves as a technical resource for complex sterile processing issues and assists management with identifying operational problems, developing solutions, and maintaining compliance with established requirements. Advises the Assistant Chief and Chief, SPS on problems in the organization's activities. Performs all other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 07:30am - 4:00pm or Monday - Friday 08:00am - 4:30pm, May vary depending on deployment and/or assigned facility needs.

Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 63587F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized