LEAD MEDICAL SUPPLY TECHNICIAN (STERILE PROCESSING)

Description:

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The Lead Medical Supply Technician (MST) at the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center provides guidance to employees performing work at the GS-8 MST, GS-7 level or below. The incumbent ensures work assignments of employees in the unit or team are carried out.

Requirements:

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: 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 for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Certification. None

Grandfathering Provision. All 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 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).

Grade Determinations : One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07 lead).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Ability to read and interpret written procedures and select appropriate action in order to instruct staff in correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments.
2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules and regulations.
3. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.
4. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures.
5. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments.

Preferred Experience: Three - five years minimum experience as SPS lead technician.
2. Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed and the ability to communicate effectively as a lead technician.
3. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with end users, team leaders, and managers.
4. Knowledge of sterility principles (proficient in decon, prep & pack, GI, HLD, & sterilization)
5. Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and work assignments.
6. Expertise in identifying surgical instruments
7. Expertise in assembling complex trays (orthopedic, vascular, heart) and delicate trays (eyes)
8. Expertise in DaVinci
9. Expertise in electronic instrument tracking system (preferably CensiTrac)
10. Certifications (CBSPD, IAHCHMM, or HSPA and CIS)

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-08.

Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. The work requires pushing heavy carts, standing, and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.