Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Description:

The Medical Supply Technician (MST) works within the Sterile Processing Service Line at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in Lee County VA, Cape Coral FL. In this position, the MST will provide sterilization, preparation, supply items and reusable medical equipment decontamination and distribution support for the Lee County VA Medical Center.

Requirements:

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.)

English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, of VA Handbook 5005.

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.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 REQUIREMENT : GS-03 (Entry Level) - Nothing beyond the basic requirements listed above.

GS-04 (Developmental Level)

• Experience. Six months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; OR,
• Education. 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the 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 (Developmental Level)

• Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-04); OR,
• Education. 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:
  • Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
  • Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regard to sterility.
  • Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.

GS-06 (Full Performance Level)

• Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5).
  • Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
  • Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regard to sterility.
  • Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• 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 regard to instrumentation.
  • Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

Preferred Experience:

• National certification by the Sterile Processing and Distribution Board (CBSPD) or by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA, formerly known as IAHCSMM) is highly preferred but not required
• Knowledge of all areas with Sterile Processing to include: decontamination, preparation and assembly, sterilization, endoscope reprocessing (if applicable), sterile storage and distribution.
• Knowledge of sterility principles of decontamination.

References: VA Handbook 5005/83 Qualification Standards - Part II, Appendix G47The 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-03 to GS-06

Physical Requirements: This position may require shift work and or rotation of tour assignments. Routinely requires heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over), heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over), straight pulling and pushing (up to 8 hrs.), walking (8 hrs.), standing (8 hrs.), kneeling (8 hrs.), repeated bending (8 hrs.), both legs required, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing aid permitted, and ability to operate transportation equipment.