Summary The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing), performs advanced sterilization, decontamination, preparation, and distribution of medical equipment. Responsibilities include assembling complex surgical sets, operating sterilization equipment, conducting quality checks, and maintaining records. The technician also serves as a preceptor for new staff and ensures compliance with standard operating procedures. Routine maintenance and adherence to safety protocols are critical parts of the role. 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 Join the team at Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio as a Medical Supply Technician! Be part of a city known for its rich culture, vibrant community, and dedication to our nation's heroes. In this role, you'll ensure our veterans receive top-quality care by managing critical medical supplies. With competitive pay, great benefits, and the chance to serve those who served, this is your opportunity to make a difference in the heart of San Antonio. Apply today and take the next step in your career while supporting the community that supports you! Duties: Perform decontamination, sterilization, and high-level disinfection of medical supplies, instruments, and reusable medical equipment (RME). Inspect, assemble, and package complex surgical instrument sets, including those used in open heart surgery, major orthopedic procedures, and endoscopy. Operate and maintain sterilization equipment, ensuring proper cleaning and disinfection protocols are followed. Conduct quality assurance checks for sterilization cycles, solution efficacy, and equipment performance, and document all processes. Process and inspect loaned vendor instruments, ensuring compliance with sterilization standards. Maintain and restock consumable supplies and ensure all sterile processing areas are clean and orderly. Act as a preceptor for new staff and support training programs for enlisted personnel and contracted staff. Follow and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to reflect changes in sterilization methods and industry standards. Troubleshoot mechanical failures in sterilization and decontamination equipment. Ensure safe transportation of sterile items throughout the facility. Comply with VA policies for information security and patient safety standards. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts, Including Nights/Weekends/Holidays Relocation Incentive: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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 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. 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. Grade Determinations: Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing), GS-07 (Advanced Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others. Preferred Experience: Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of Reusable Medical Equipment Knowledge of surgical instrumentation used in operating rooms and clinical settings Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over Straight pulling (1 hour) Pushing (1 hour) Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking (2 hours) Kneeling (1 hour) Repeated bending (1 hour) Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Depth perception Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors 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/. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Additional Information 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.