Summary

Sterile Processing Service (SPS) is the central point within the Medical Center providing the technical supply functions of collecting - processing an decontamination of soiled supplies - instruments and equipment; instrument preparation and sterilization; medical equipment maintenance - receiving - storing - and distribution of medical and surgical supplies - instruments - and equipment.

Qualifications

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 which both education and experience are acceptable
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements listed above - the candidate must also meet the grade specific requirements
• Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - GS-6 Experience: One full year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5)
• Examples of GS-5 experience include: Removes soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids - and other containments by wiping - soaking - rinsing - and scrubbing
• Inspects packages for indications for 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 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: 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
• 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 GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for prolonged periods of time - carrying medical supply items weighing up to 50 pounds - frequent bending and stretching/reaching - and pushing fully loaded medical supply carts weighing as much as 750 pounds which must be negotiated up inclines and over rises - or positioning them on sterilizer track rails
• The work requires dexterity in such tasks as inserting small rods into needle openings or precisely aligning component parts while reassembling medical equipment
• Tension and stress are induced by the critical nature of producing work results critical to patient care on pre-established time frames and in emergent situations
• Workdays can be lengthened without notice by emergency surgery instrumentation needs.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties: Decontamination/Processing: Processing and decontamination involve all the actions required prior to sterilizing and issuance
• The Decontamination area is responsible for cleaning and decontaminating all critical and semi-critical reusable equipment - and instruments
• Cleaning consists of one or more methods of removing gross contamination
• All technicians must follow manufacturing instructions if applicable items must be disassembled before cleaning
• Personal protective equipment is essential to SPS technician safety
• During processing - the employee visually examines the items for damage - deterioration - or imperfections such as rust - putting - and cracks
• They inspect the medical equipment to determine whether it is operating correctly and to ensure that the items were reassembled correctly after cleaning
• Preparation/Sterilization: Preparation involves all duties required to assemble - package - wrap - and sterilize the medical supply items
• When preparing instruments for sterilization - manufacturing instructions must be followed at all times
• The items are packaged individually (e.g
• scissors - tubing - gauze) or are assembled into trays and sets
• Frequently - some items are packaged both individually and as part of a tray or set
• In any case - the items are first visually examined for cleanliness and as described above in the processing section - for signs of damage - deterioration - and imperfection
• Tests of the condition of the supply items are also required such as scissors for smooth and easy opening
• Sterilizing items involves determining the proper sterilizing method - placing the carrier containing the supply items in the sterilizer and operating the sterilizer
• The technician includes in sterilization cycles any control tests (Bowie-Dick air removal - biological spore) according to established procedures
• At the end of the sterilizing period - the technician compares the control tests with the cycle to determine whether the correct parameters (e.g. - time - temperature - pressure) were obtained
• Any deviations from the normal or expected parameters are noted and corrective steps are taken
• Performs all other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 2:30pm - 11:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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 #: 540-23133F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized