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:

• 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 chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.
• 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

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).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, the following provisions apply:(1) 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.(2) 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. VA HANDBOOK 5005/76 MAY 28, 2014 PART II APPENDIX G47 II-G47-2(3) 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.

In addition to the Basic Requirements provided in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47, paragraph 2, the following are the grade requirements.

Grade Requirements/Determinations: GS-06 (Full Performance Level) Experience. Experience: One-year experience to the next lower (GS-5) grade level. Examples of experience at this level would include removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing; inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilizations, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room; Preparing, loading, and operating sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor; prepares operating room case cards daily using surgery schedule.
And
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:

1. Knowledge of surgical instrumentation used in operating rooms and clinical settings.
2. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
3. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures.
4. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.
5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47, paragraph 2

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 6.

Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for prolonged periods of time, frequent bending and stretching/reaching, walking, and pushing fully loaded carts which must be negotiated up inclines and over rises. There are frequent trips throughout the facility picking up soiled RMD or delivering clean/sterile RMD. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for prolonged periods of time, frequent bending and stretching/reaching, walking, and pushing fully loaded carts which must be negotiated up inclines and over rises. There are frequent trips throughout the facility picking up soiled RMD or delivering clean/sterile RMD. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The employee follows established policy wearing special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers. Special insulated gloves and devices are provided to prevent injuries. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses are unknown. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or reusable medical equipment. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of equipment located in SPS.