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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Near Phoenix, AZ

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.
• Education and/or Experience:
• Experience: Six (6) months of experience of associated with Medical Supply Technician responsibilities. OR,
• Education: At least 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. (Transcripts are required.) OR,
• Combination of Education and/or Experience: An equivalent combination of experience and education.

Note: Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as a Medical Supply Technician. Please make sure that your experience is evident in your resume, and hours worked per week for each work experience entry is included, or your resume will be considered incomplete, and you will be considered 'ineligible' for the position.
Grade Determinations:

GS-3 Experience and/or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

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

GS-4 Experience and/or Education:

• Experience: Six months experience as a Medical Supply Technician, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting. In addition, to education and experience must demonstrate that the following are met:
• a) Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
• b) Basic knowledge of medical terminology to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.
• c) Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• d) Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. OR,

• Education: Completion of at least two (2) years above high school to include at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. (Transcripts are required.) In addition, to education and experience must be able to demonstrate the following are met:
• a) Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
• b) Basic knowledge of medical terminology to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.
• c) Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• d) Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.

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.

GS-5 Experience and/or Education:

• Experience: At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, must demonstrate the following are met:
• a) Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• b) Basic knowledge of event-related packaging regarding sterility.
• c) Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. OR,
• Education: Completion of a 4-year course 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. (Transcripts are required). In addition, demonstrate the following are met:
• a) Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• b) Basic knowledge of event-related packaging regarding sterility.
• c) Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.

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 re-processor; 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-6 Experience:

• Experience: At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, must demonstrate the following are met:
• a) Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• b) Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
• c) Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions, and procedures.
• d) Knowledge of sterility principles regarding instrumentation.
• e) Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

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 re-processors.

Preferred Experience: At least one (1) year experience as a Medical Supply Technician, or related occupation. Certified by International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM), Certified by Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).
References: VA Handbook 5005/83, Part II, Appendix G47.

The 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 work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply 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 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.

Responsibilities:

This position offers entry level opportunities at the GS-03 level, with 6 months experience or knowledge of sterilization, to the opportunity of yearly one grade career ladder promotion to the full performance level of the position at the GS-06 level, upon satisfactory performance. Please read the duties below, and the qualification required at each grade level, in the Qualifications section of the announcement.

*This is not a logistics, or supply technician position. This position needs sterilization of instruments, or equipment, knowledge and/or experience. *

The Medical Supply Technician (MST) possesses the knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD). As an MST, you are required to maintain current knowledge of the processes, and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of Reusable Medical Devices (RMD). The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Uses insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers.
• Decontaminates, and sterilizes reusable instrumentation and devices for the Phoenix VA Health Care System.
• Assembles basic sets and surgical trays for procedures at the Phoenix VA Health Care System.
• Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
• Resolves conflicts and problems dealing with the customers, constructively, and appropriately.
• Responsible for promoting a culture of employee safety, and hazardous waste disposal.
• Decontaminates, and sterilizes scissors, forceps, retractors, and surgical trays processed, and/or assembled through the Preparation and Decontamination areas of Sterile Processing Service.
• 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 medical center, including those used in the operating room.
• Prepares, loads, and operates sterilizers.
• Disassembles the RMD and determines the correct cleaning method to utilized, such as ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents.
• Performs duties pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization, and inspection of RMD.
• Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes.
• Performs, and documents, daily operational checks, and records for all sterilization equipment.

Work Schedule: Tours include Monday - Friday: 6:00 am-2:30 pm; 8:00 am-4:30 pm, 9:00 am-5:30 pm,3:30 pm-12:00 am, 9:00 pm-5:30 am; on Saturday - Sunday: 7:00 am-3:30pm. On- Call. Holidays.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)/PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: *Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be available for highly qualified candidates at service discretion.*
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary