Advanced Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

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: 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 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. 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). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Creditable Experience. Knowledge of Current MST Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with MST responsibilities. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as an MST. Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MST experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a MST is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MST employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. Grade Determinations: GS-07 Advanced Level – Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) (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. Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinical settings 2. Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets. 3. In- depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. 4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others.(c) Assignment. The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room. Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while processing operating the equipment. Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) o instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
This is an Advanced Performance Level Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Medical Supply Technician position. The position is located in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Section under the Associate Director for Patient Care Service. This position level Medical Supply Technician is a member of the nursing care team and is responsible for the support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS).