Medical Supply Technician-Sterile Processing

SummaryMedical Supply Technician Sterile Processing pertaining to the decontamination - sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). in the decontamination area - and may receive noncritical equipment. This is a developmental level for the occupation. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex task and require direct supervision on new assignments. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination - sterilization and inspection of RMD.QualificationsApplicants 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 RequirementsCitizenshipCitizen of the United StatesExperience and/or Education Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the workor EducationOne 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 positionor Experience/Education CombinationEquivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptableCertificationNoneEnglish Language ProficiencyMSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j - this partMay 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)Grandfathering ProvisionAll 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 occupationFor 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: 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 occupationMSTs 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 standardMSTs 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 occupationGrade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidatesGS-03 (Entry Level) Experience or EducationNone beyond the basic requirementsAssignmentThis is an entry level MST positionMSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervisionGS-04 (Developmental Level) ExperienceSix months experience as a MST - operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical settingor EducationTwo years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupationNOTE: 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 experienceDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: 1Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination2Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets3Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment4Ability to communicate both orally and in writingGS-05 (Developmental Level) ExperienceOne year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade levelor EducationFour 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 degreeDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings2Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility3Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipmentGS-06 (Full Performance Level) ExperienceOne year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade levelDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings2Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination3Working knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy and physiology - microbiology - medical conditions and procedures4Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation5Ability to read and interpret written instructions and proceduresReferences: Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G47 - paragraph 2 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.DutiesIndividuals in this position will have a knowledge of the process for reusable medical equipment (RME)Individuals will be able to maintain current Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning - disinfection - sterilization and preparation of RMEDuties of the position include and are not limited to: Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) is any medical equipment designed by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patientsAll personnel who are involved in the reprocessing of RME are responsible for knowing what reusable instruments - equipment - medical devices or supplies are used (inventory) in their clinical areaAll personnel who are involved with the use of RME must be familiar with which items are reprocessed locally (on unit) and/or which items are sent to Sterile Processing for reprocessing and/or sterilizationIf items are transported for reprocessing - personnel must be aware of the individual decontamination steps that must be taken prior to transport of item and the appropriate method of transportAll personnel who are involved in reprocessing of RME are responsible for following the local Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) drafted in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendationsSterile Processing and Infection Control should be consulted when clarification of written instructions are neededNo one should be reprocessing any reusable medical equipment based upon vendor's verbal instructions alonethis is not an adequate practiceAll personnel that are in any way involved in the reprocessing of RME must have documented training in the setup - reprocessing and maintenance of specific equipmentValidation of competency will be done according to national policy guidelinesAll personnel that have the responsibility of reprocessing reusable medical equipment can suspend the reuse of any RME if they suspect that the device was not properly cleaned - disinfected or sterilized according to the SOP and manufacturer's guidelinesSingle-use (disposable) medical devices will not be reused or re-sterilizedAll personnel must have an understanding of the importance of RME and the significant impact on our Veteran population through the risk of infectious diseaseWork Schedule: Various shifts Telework: This position is not eligible for teleworkVirtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #:10120F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required.