The Medical Supply Technician 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 an equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Grandfathering Provision. All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard, May 28, 2014, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For 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: (1) 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 occupation. (2) MSTs 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 standard. (3) MSTs 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 occupation. 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). Preferred Experience: Knowledgeable in all areas of Sterile Processing Level 1 and Level 2 certified Understanding of SGNA, AAMI, IAHCSMM recommended practices and guidelines. Understanding or training in operating room procedures Grade Determinations: 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. 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 tp 4, Far vision correctable in one eye 20/50 and 20/100 in the other, vision in each eye with or without correction, both eyes required, depth perception, heavy pulling (intermittent), ability to distinguish basic colors, emotional stability, 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, working with ladders or scaffolding, possible exposure to communicable diseases and bloodborne pathogens.. ["Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) in the decontamination area, and may receive noncritical equipment as well. 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. All personnel that are in any way involved in the reprocessing of RME must have documented training in the setup, reprocessing and maintenance of specific equipment. Validation of competency will be done according to national policy guidelines. Duties include, but are not limited to: Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as, but not limited to, ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers/disinfectors, 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, V-Pro, Steris, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors; Accurately completes all documentation requirements for sterilization and high-level disinfection; 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; Correctly operates cleaning equipment such as ultrasonic irrigators, washer disinfectors and cart washers using the appropriate chemical/decontamination solution; Pick and delivery of reusable medical equipment throughout the facility. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts, Monday - Friday, 5:00 am - 1:30 pm; 6:30 am - 3:00 pm; 9:30 am - 6:00 pm; 2:00 pm - 10:30 pm and 10:00 pm - 6:30 am. Tour may be adjusted to meet staffing needs. Telework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Medical Supply Technician/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]