Summary Advanced Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) position for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) of the Salt Lake City George E. Whalen Hospital. This position will be supporting the management of the facilities critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices (RMD). Responsibilities Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Supply Aide and Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Supply-Aide-Career-Flyer.pdf Performing the management of critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices (RMD); tracking RMD in the instrument tracking program and verifying all quality assurance modalities involved in decontamination, preparation, sterilization, disinfection, distribution, and inventory management processes. Supports the management of critical and semi-critical RMD for the medical center and work collaboratively with other MSTs and clinic (Operating Room) end users and be a subject matter expert to ensure completion of work, appropriate quality assurance metrics and modalities are being adhered to, as well as review previously completed work of other MSTs. Reviews the current and future surgery schedule and coordinates with OR personnel, SPS, and other services to ensure that all RMD, equipment, and consumable supplies will be ready for patient care utilization as requested by established surgical procedure case cart requisitions or physician preference cards. Submits requisitions to appropriate services to procure, stock, and maintain proper inventory levels of items located in the sterile core. Handles and stores critical and semi-critical RMD, equipment, and consumable supplies in accordance with VA policy and procedures. Procures stock and maintains proper RMD inventory levels located throughout the sterile core. Maintains the sterile core in an orderly and clean manner; cleaning storage shelves, carts and work surfaces as required. Monitors environmental conditions in the sterile core and communicates and helps facilitate rectification of non-conformities of environmental conditions. Will also submit electronic work orders for non-conformities in the sterile core. Reviews the work of others to ensure acceptable quality assurance metrics have been attained prior to distribution and patient care utilization - facilitating rectification of non-conformities. Assists management with oversight and support of the RMD program. Assists in all consumable and reusable supply, device, and equipment inventories. Review and development of policy and procedure regarding the RMD program in the sterile core. Demonstrates attention and compliance to facility and SPS policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), competency assessment tools (CATs), manufacturer instructions for use (MIFU) and record management. Will manage the work area, storage, carts, supplies, devices, and equipment according to policy and directive. Collects, analyzes, and provides data to assist in establishing benchmarks for quality improvement. Assists in collaboration and demonstrate excellent customer service with internal and external customers to ensure appropriate professional standards (i.e., Directive, OSHA, The Joint Commission, CDC, AAMI/ANSI, etc.), quality management, and performance improvement measures are consistently applied in the facility RMD program. Assists in the development, review, and implementation of a disaster plan, including downtime procedures, regarding the RMD program in the sterile core. Assists in the tracking of quality assurance metrics in the sterile core. Will also will coordinate and track all consumable and reusable supplies, devices, and equipment for patient-care utilization. Monitors, and audits work performed of Medical Supply Technicians as they work to ensure appropriate quality assurance metrics are being adhered to, as well as audit completed work. Assists in auditing and managing disinfection and sterilization records and provide SPS management metrics of SPS quality assurance compliance. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60250-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications * This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 3, 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 16, 2024. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled* 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. -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. OR 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. -Certification. None. Grade Determination: GS-07 (Advanced Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6). 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 clinic 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. Assignment. The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total 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 operating the equipment. Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines. Preferred Experience. Previously 1 year or currently full performance level Sterile Processing experience, VA Sterile Processing Certification or other Sterile Processing Certification (HSPA - formerly IAHCSMM or CBSPD). Reference. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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 MST may be required to work in areas that are hot, humid, cold, drafty, and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of RMD, as well as discerning physical monitors and process indicators of equipment. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The employee wears special clothing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) that can be uncomfortably warm. The Medical Supply is subject to burns and chemical exposure. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of equipment. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.