Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

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. Medical Supply Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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. 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: Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) GS 8 Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-08 you must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Distributing and prioritizing workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations; assuring an even workflow and distribution of the workload; revising work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload; assigning work to staff based on experience and training needs; monitoring and reporting on the status of work; reviewing work in progress or spot checking work not requiring review to ensure completed work meets supervisors’ instructions on such things as work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines; assessing the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of technical medical equipment, material and instrumentation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds. Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed. Ability to oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RME. Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues. Preferred Experience: One year at the GS-7 level, Sterile Processing Certification, ability to reprocess scope in the GI. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The position is above Full Performance Level (GS-08). 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 work requires moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pulling and pushing (8 hours); pulling hand over hand (8 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands and legs are required; standing and walking (8 hours); repeated bending (8 hours); both eyes and depth perception required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted). (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service)
The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) functions as a first-level supervisor for a group of Medical Supply Technicians, with administrative responsibility for planning and directing work. Provides sterilization, preparation, supply items and Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) decontamination and distribution support for the medical center.