Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

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.) 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, certain provisions apply. 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).

01Grade Determinations

Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) GS-03: Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment: This is an entry level MST position. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision.

GS-04: Experience: Six months experience as an MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; OR, Education: Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. NOTE: Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or nursing assistants obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces, the U.S.

Maritime Service, or hospitals under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to 6 months of experience. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.

Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position. Performs segments of work 4 pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). Completes segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center. Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes. Prepares operating room case carts.

MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. GS-05: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4). OR Education: Four academic years above high school leading to a Bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation or a Bachelor's degree.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position.

Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing. Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Prepares, loads, and operates sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope re-processor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule.

MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments. GS-06: Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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.

02Preferred Experience

SPS, Infection Control, Lab, Quality Assurance experience preferred but not required. 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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

03Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Basic Functions Depending on the grade selected you may be expected to do the following tasks: Utilizes the Instrument Tracking Program, SOPs, Competencies, and MIFUs for all phases of reprocessing RMD, including Decontamination, Disinfection, Preparation and Packaging, and Sterilization. May run shift-to-shift huddles. Uses the Instrument Tracking System (Censitrac) to collect, receive, sort, clean, assemble, package, sterilize, and deliver Critical, Semi-Critical, and Non-Critical RMD.

Utilizes advanced functions of instrument tracking system to manage RMD throughout SPS and the facility. Wears appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Completes set-up of all areas including restocking (FIFO), validations, tests. Validate and test equipment on a daily and/or weekly schedule, documenting in Censitrac. Monitors operation of all equipment, using biological, chemical, and mechanical indicators. Reports any discrepancies to the Supervisor or Lead.

Water quality testing performed and documented daily. Scan into the Decontamination area, and at each processing point (i.e., sink, ultrasonic, washer/disinfector, scope reprocessing, and other processing equipment as necessary). Disassembles RMD for both manual and mechanical cleaning, using approved chemicals, equipment, .0and techniques to successfully render items safe for further processing.

Performs all required RMD inspection and testing to ensure functionality and safety of RMD (conductivity testing, sharpness, articulation of hinged instruments, use of the borescope to check lumens and cannulas). Obtains missing items for trays, or appropriately labels trays for missing or damaged items. Provides accurate count sheets, including documentation of additional pertinent information. Provides accurate labels for all items being prepared.

Performs quality checks and/or 2nd checks on containerized RMD, peel packed RMD, and disinfected RMD. Documents as required. Accurately assembles, wraps, peel pouches, containerizes, dates, initials, and labels all peel packs and trays using appropriate materials and techniques needed per SOP. Accurately sorts RMD for appropriate sterilizer and cycle. Able to access resources for assistance. Loads and unloads sterilizers and scope disinfectors safely and appropriately.

Ensures all low, intermediate, and high level disinfected RMD is inspected, properly packaged, and labeled for end user, and all required QA monitoring and documentation is completed. Assigns, maintains, identifies, and tracks load control numbers with the contents registered for each load. Able to use Censitrac to review load contents, as applicable. Initiates recall of RMD in the event of a process failure.

Able to safely operate all equipment used in preparation, packaging, and sterilization, including all sterilizers, disinfectors, incubators, workstations, magnification light, scales, insulator tester, borescopes, demagnetizers, sealers, computers, scanners, printers, QA inspection tools, etc, per SOPs, Competencies, and MIFUs. Visually inspects RMD prior to release, ensuring package integrity (no holes, staining, broken locks, etc), and correct labeling for correct delivery. Documents inspections as required.

Demonstrates appropriate technique for retrieval and delivery of contaminated RMD from end user. Follows the established pick-up schedule at a minimum. Completes end-of-shift duties including restocking (FIFO), organizing per department standards, disinfecting work areas. Identifies and recommends equipment and supply needs. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 3:00pm-11:30pm 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) Functional Statement #: 07124F, 07125F, 07126F, 07127F