Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: You must be a 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: English Language Proficiency – You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Experience and/or Education: Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the 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. 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-06 Medical Supply Technician (Full Performance Level): Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-06 you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing; Inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembling basic sets and trays used throughout a medical facility including those used in the operating room; preparing, loading, and operating sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): 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 regards to instrumentation. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for prolonged periods of time, frequent bending and stretching/reaching, walking and pushing fully-loaded/heavy carts which must be negotiated up inclines and over rises or positioning them. Employee must be acutely aware of safety requirements when moving these carts as they have areas that extend outside the visible areas that can cause harm to other staff or equipment. The employee usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another while performing duties. There is frequent requirement for lifting and carrying individual instruments/trays and items weighing at least 25 to 50 pounds. Employee is expected to use proper body mechanics in all aspects of work.
This position is in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS), New York Harbor Healthcare System and is responsible for reprocessing critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) received from internal and external customers.