This vacancy is posted Open & Continuous or UNTIL THIS POSITION IS FILLED. It is ENCOURAGED that applicants apply at the lowest acceptable grade (and up) to maximize their chance to be referred to the Selecting Officials for consideration 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 : A. United States Citizenship : Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy B.

• Education and / or Experience : (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides and 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;

OR (3) Experience / Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.

C. English Language Proficiency : MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part.

D. Grandfathering Provision. Refer to Qualifications Section below. Preferred Experience : Those candidates with current certification in SPS either by VA Level II, The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM), or The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) are highly preferred.

In addition, a minimum of three years strong diverse SPS experience, including endoscope reprocessing and assembly of complicated sets also highly preferred.

Grade Determinations : (1) GS-03 (Entry Level) (a) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignment.

This is an entry level MST position. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision.

2) GS-04 (Developmental Level) (a) 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 (b) 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.

c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs : 1.

Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. 2. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room / clinic instrument sets.

3. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. 4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. (d) Assignment.

This is a developmental level MST position. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME).

Completes segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center. Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes.

Prepares operating room case carts. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision.

3) GS-05 (Developmental Level) (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; OR (b) 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.

c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs : 1.

Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. 2. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility.

3. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. (d) Assignment : This is a developmental level MST position. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing.

Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room.

Prepares, loads, and operates sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor;

prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments.

GS-06 (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience : One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (b) 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 regards to instrumentation. 5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

c) Assignment. This is the full performance level for the occupation. Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well.

Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, 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, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors.

Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. References : VA Handbook 5005 / 76, Part II, Appendix G47.

• Physical Requirements : Heavy lifting, 45 lbs. and over; Heavy carrying, 45 lbs. and over; Straight pulling; Pushing; Use of fingers;
• Both hands required; Walking; Standing; Kneeling; Repeated bending; Climbing, legs only; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4;
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20 / 20 and 20 / 40 in the other; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors;

Hearing (aid permitted); Environmental Factors : Outside and inside; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working closely with others.