Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) is assigned to the Sterile Processing Service at the Pittsburgh VAMC, Pittsburgh, PA. The Incumbent is responsible for the receipt of contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical device (RME) and for the decontamination and sterilization of this RME. The duties require basic knowledge of sterile techniques within the SPS department.
Qualifications: This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis (every 2 weeks).
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: 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• 1. Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• 2. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
• 3. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures.
• 4. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.
• 5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

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 incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, 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 instrumentation.
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-03 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-04 (Developmental Level) Experience. Six months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of Sterile Processing in a clinical setting;

or

• Education. Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation.
• GS-05 (Developmental Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level;

or

• Education. Four academic years above high school leading to a Bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation or a Bachelor's degree.
• GS-06 (Full Performance Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

References: Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standard, VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS - 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS - 3 to GS - 6.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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Employment Type: FULL_TIME