Summary

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families - caregivers - and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

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.

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
• Education or Experience: Experience: Six months of creditable experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides and understanding of the work
• Education: Successful completion of one (1) 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
• Combination: Equivalent combinations of experience and education as described above
• English Language Proficiency: Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English
• 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-3 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above
• GS-4 Experience: Applicants must have six (6) months experience as a Medical Supply Technician - operating room or surgical technician - or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting
• OR 2 years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• GS-5 Experience: Applicants must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-4)
• OR 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
• In addition to the experience 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
• GS-6 Experience: Applicants must have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level (GS-5)
• In addition - 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
• Preferred Experience: IAHCSMM Certified
• Completion of Level I and II training with Certified Registered Medical Supply Technician status
• Reference: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G47 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-3 to GS-6.

Duties

• This is a position in Sterile Processing Service as a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing Technician)
• In this position - the incumbent will provide sterilization - preparation - supply items and reusable medical devices decontamination and distribution support for the medical center
• The term \"supply item\" as used in this functional statement refers to disposable and reusable items for patient care including instrumentation (scissors - forceps - retractors - etc.) - reusable medical devices (suction machines infusion pumps - etc.) - surgical trays and sets and various other items that could be processed or assembled through the Preparation and Decontamination areas of Sterile Processing Service
• The duties include but are not limited to: Works as team member with other Medical Supply Technicians of various experience to carry out the daily work utilizing the written standard operating procedures and/or manufactures written instructions in accordance with instructions - policies - previous training - or accepted/standard practices
• Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RMD in decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well
• Disassembles the RMD 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 manufactures instructions
• Inspects - prepares - assembles - and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam
• Removes soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids and other contaminants 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.\\ Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination - sterilization - and inspection of reusable medical device (RMD)
• Prepares operating room case carts
• Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment
• Work Schedule: 2:00pm-10:30pm and 7:00-3:30pm - Monday-Friday with 24/7 rotating call responsibility Recruitment Incentive (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 Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure: Not Required