Career Center

Summary

The Medical Supply Technician position is located in the Sterile Processing Service department of the Health Care Center location in Kernersville - NC. MSTs will perform duties in all areas of the SPS department to accomplish daily workload and to rotate routinely through all assignments.

Qualifications

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: (1) Experience
• Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work
• or (2) 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
• Such as Certification in Sterile Processing (CRCST - CER - CIS -)
• or (3) Experience/Education Combination
• 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: Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:1
• Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.2
• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.3
• Working knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy and physiology - microbiology - medical conditions and procedures.4
• Knowledge of sterility principles in regard to instrumentation.5
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G47
• Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)
• GS-622
• Dated: July 8 - 2015 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. 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 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
• Preferred Experience/Certifications: Sterile processing certification and 1 year experience or 5 year of Sterile processing experience

Duties

• Major duties and responsibilities are as follows: Requires knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and maintains current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning - disinfection - sterilization - and preparation of RME appropriate to this position
• Demonstrates the ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RME appropriate to this position Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in decontamination area(s) such as main decontamination and GI Scope decontamination
• Receives noncritical case carts in the decontamination area for transport of RME as well
• Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method - such as but not limited to manual cleaning - ultrasonic cleaners - mechanical washers - cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents as determined by manufactures instructions
• Inspects - prepares - assembles - and determines the correct method of packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to Steam - Plasma (Sterrad) - and high-level disinfection such as Cidex OPA - bleach - hydrogen peroxide - and the Automated Equipment Reprocessor (AER)
• Prepares operating rooms trays and containers daily utilizing surgery schedule
• Removes soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids and other contaminants by wiping - soaking - rinsing - and scrubbing
• Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization - assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the outpatient clinic including those used in the operating room
• Performs segments of work pertaining to the high-level disinfection - decontamination - sterilization - and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME)
• Completes segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and major trays for use in various services of the facility
• Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes
• Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment
• Transports RME within and between facilities
• Maintains current MST and VA driver's certification
• MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and SPS management
• Inspects - prepares - assembles - and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam - Sterrad - Steris - EtO and high-level disinfecting reprocessors
• may prepare operating room case carts daily utilizing surgery schedule
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 1000 - 1830 Compressed/Flexible: Not eligible Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required