The Medical Supply Technician (MST) in Sterile Processing Services (SPS) receives and completes reprocessing of contaminated critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) in the decontamination area and performs qualify assurance tasks for SPS. 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: MST's must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Experience and/or Education: Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; OR 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 an equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. 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-03: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04: Six 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 two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. NOTE: 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 experience. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below: 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-05: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-04) 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 or education 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-06: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05). 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. Preferred Experience: At least a year experience in Sterile Processing Service. Operation of sterile processing equipment such as sterilizer, washer disinfectors, ultrasonic washers and High level disinfection equipment. Knowledge and experience in cleaning reusable medical devices, knowledge of surgical sets utilized in the OR for the cleaning and assembly of those sets. Ability to assemble basic sets, trays and peel packs used throughout the medical center including the operating room. References: VA Handbook 5005/83, Part II, Appendix G47, dated May 28, 2014 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-06. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15 - 44 pounds), moderate carrying (15 - 44 pounds), straight pulling (6 hours), pulling hand over hand (6 hours), pushing (6 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (8 hours), standing (8 hours), kneeling (1 - 4 hours), repeated bending (8 hours), both legs required, operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeger 1 to 4, 20/40 vision in each eye with or without correction, both eyes required, depth perception, heavy pulling (intermittent), ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted). Environmental Factors: Outside and inside, excessive heat, excessive humidity, excessive dampness or chilling, excessive noise (intermittent), dust, fumes, smoke or gases, grease and oils, electrical energy, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working around machinery with moving parts, working around moving objects or vehicles, vibration, working with hands in water, working closely with others, working alone, working with sharp objects, working with odors. ["Ensures instruments are received by end users at the right time, in the right place (department) and in the right condition (sterile/high-level disinfected and acceptable for patient use) for surgical and clinical procedures. For instruments requiring sterilization, ensures proper loading on the sterilizer cart based on size, weight, delicacy of instruments, and packaging. Incumbent loads carts to ensure effective penetration of sterilant occurs. Duties include, but are not limited to: Accurately completes all documentation requirements for sterilization and high-level disinfection; Accurately assembles case carts ensuring all instruments and sets are available per pull sheet/preference card. Missing or unavailable instruments must be documented on the pull sheet and communicated with end users in advance; Correctly completes OR case cart assembly in a timely manner using the correct surgeon's preference cards; Accurately utilizes high-level disinfecting and sterilization equipment such as, but not limited to, steam, Sterrad, Steris, and automated endoscope reprocessors; Completes reprocessing tasks associated with flexible and rigid endoscopes; Performs daily quality assurance testing for all reprocessing equipment as needed; Correctly operates cleaning equipment such as ultrasonic irrigators, washer disinfectors and cart washers using the appropriate chemical/decontamination solution; Completes a second check (for quality assurance monitoring) on all surgical instruments and sets assembled by others ensuring the instruments are present, clean and functional; Maintains annual competency requirements associated with more than 100 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for SPS. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, 11:30 am - 8:00 pm, 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm ( May take weekend and holiday calls) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 667-00092-F, 00093-F, 00094-F, 00095-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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