Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Description:

The MST who is assigned to SPS functions as a member of the SPS service and provides support for all matters of concern relating to procedures for the decontamination, high level disinfection (HLD), and/or sterilization of critical and semi-critical reusable medical instruments and equipment and storage of items reprocessed at Veteran Affairs Maryland Health Care System Medical (VAMHCS) facility with management of Reusable Medical Devices (RMD).

Requirements:

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:

1. Experience . Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or
2. 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
3. Experience/Education Combination . Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.

• Certification . None.
• 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.

Grade Determinations :

GS-06 (Full Performance Level)

• Experience . One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-06 you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing; Inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembling basic sets and trays used throughout a medical facility 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 carts daily using surgery schedule.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities . In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic 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.

Preferred Experience:

1. Experience in a Sterile Processing Department
2. Knowledge of cleaning, high level disinfection and sterilization methods
3. Familiarity with reusable medical equipment and instruments

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-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, lifting 30 pounds or more and pushing. Required to stand and move from one part of the room to another in performance of assigned duties and is also required to travel throughout the medical center observing the processes in placed in different services. Transferring objects may be required.

Occasional Travel : The position may require occasional travel away from the duty station for local meetings; and infrequent distant meetings and conferences. Must be able to meet federal guidelines to use a government vehicle for travel.

Patient Safety Competency Statement : The incumbent will be responsible for promoting a culture of safety and will fully cooperate in efforts to improve patient safety and eradicate potential events including the reporting of events resulting in actual or potential injury to a patient. Incumbent must demonstrate knowledge of the reporting procedures involving safety issues relating to patients.