The Phoenix VA HCS is seeking a dynamic Medical Supply Technician (CensiTrac Coordinator) to join our Sterile Processing team! The CensiTrac Coordinator is responsible for the oversight of the SPS automated equipment tracking system in the Sterile Processing Service. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for highly qualified candidate at service discretion. Basic 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.) 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. 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: 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. 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. 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. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs. 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-07 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - CensiTrac Coordinator Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Practical knowledge of conventional fact-finding or investigative techniques in order to evaluate internal work processes. Skill to develop, analyze and evaluate facts relative to unsatisfactory conditions or trends. Knowledge of and skill in applying various methods and techniques for investigating, analyzing and recommending corrective action on complex quality problems. Knowledge of the SPS policies and procedural manuals, infection control procedures, and accrediting agencies and quality assurance guidelines to assure appropriateness of work during quality assurance reviews. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and other software programs. Thorough knowledge of aseptic principles and techniques, which include sterilized operations, sterilizer mediums, and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging, storage, and shelf life. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. Preferred Experience: Knowledge of inventory and supply principles, concepts and methodologies in order to recommend solutions to areas of SPS concerning existing policies, work procedures and work methods involving SPS automated equipment tracking systems. Knowledge of work and objectives in both Preparation and Decontamination areas of the Sterile Processing Service in order to make appropriate judgment and analysis to provide services or resolve problems concerning automated equipment tracking systems. Ability to search for and analyze information derived from equipment tracking systems, inventory record systems or other automated catalog systems in order to resolve issues, answer questions, provide automated equipment tracking information reports and services, and recommend actions to eliminate problems. Knowledge of safe, intelligent and efficient processing in a Sterile Processing Service, general knowledge of surgical procedures and techniques that cover patient care. Ability to communicate effectively with attending, residents, nursing staff, VISN level staff and management, and vendors concerning the scheduling, inventory, and use of RME. Knowledge of fundamental principles and practices of surgical and medical asepsis, disinfecting process, sterilization process, and proper selection of disinfectants, microbiology, fundamental biology and human body defense. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This work involves both administrative and physical demands and 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, Needle Sticks, and other injuries from handling equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of sterile products and packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The employee wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warm. The employee uses insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses are unknown. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or reusable medical equipment. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of pre sterilizing equipment. ["Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Supply Aide and Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Supply-Aide-Career-Flyer.pdf At the VA Phoenix Health Care System, we're dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans and their families every day. We proudly serve Veterans in central Arizona at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center and 12 community based outpatient VA clinics. This is a full performance level position as a CensiTrac Coordinator responsible for the oversight of the SPS automated equipment tracking system in the Sterile Processing Services. Typical duties include but are not limited to: Management, creation, trouble shooting, problem solving, monitoring, and maintaining instrument tracking systems as well as coordinating, maintaining, and monitoring instrument maintenance and repair. Initiates tracking reports and data analysis for Sterile Processing service. Coordinates with SPS Management, Logistics, Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) Coordinator, and SPS Quality Assurance for all new purchased and leased instrumentation. Receives, schedules, refers, and contacts members of the staff, agency, and persons outside the agency ranging from other government agencies to the general public. Complete correspondence and reports to RME, SPS, VISN, Services, and other Government Agencies and public corporations that deal with Sterile Processing service. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 08:00am to 4:30pm. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for highly qualified candidate at service discretion. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.