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Serves as a Medical Supply Technician (MST) in Sterile Processing Service (SPS) for VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) . SPS provides support to the Medical Center, Bonham, Ft Worth Outpatient Clinic (FWOPC), Garland, and Tyler Outpatient Clinic.
Functions as a (MST) performing a wide variety of duties, including the various cleaning, decontamination and sterilization processes associated Reusable Medical Device (RMD), which includes medical and surgical instrument reprocessing.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Open to the public. Current and permanent Federal government civilian employees must apply to CAZM-12069935-23-NDB. This is a Open Continuous posting, the 1st cut off date is 8/14/23.
This job is also open in another announcement to:
This job is also open in another announcement to:
Videos
Duties
This occupation is currently approved for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive through 9/21/24. Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI for a pro-rated amount if onboard prior to the CSI expiration date. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI.
The incumbent functions as a Sterile Processing technician performing a wide variety of duties, that require high level disinfection or sterilization for patient care including instrumentation, surgical trays, endoscopes and various items that can be processed or assembled through the preparation, decontamination, or RMD satellite areas of SPS.
Additional responsibilities will include participation in the SPS quality assurance program to ensure safe reprocessing. This may be achieved through various methods such as the instrument tracking system, documentation, internal audits and required monitoring.
Incumbent will assume continuous training to maintain the knowledge and skill to reprocess all types of RMD to support the operating room, clinics and other services throughout VANTHCS.
SPS Service furnishes the Medical Center with critical and semi-critical RMD and other related materials for use by clinical staff when fulfilling patient care responsibilities.
The incumbent must be able to determine the appropriate reprocessing of RMD to ensure all steps are performed to make a contaminated item reusable or single patient use device patient- ready: Steps may include cleaning, functional testing, repackaging, relabeling, disinfection, or sterilization.
Work Schedule:
Night Shift 11:30pm-08:00am (8 hour shift) Monday- Friday, Tuesday-Saturday, Sunday-Thursday
Evening Shift: 3:30pm-12:00am (8 hour shift) Monday- Friday, Tuesday-Saturday, Sunday-Thursday
May be required to work other shifts, be on call, work weekends and/or holidays as patient care and needs of the service require.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
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) (a) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-04 (Developmental Level) (a) 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 (b) Education. Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. NOTE: Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or nursing assistants obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces, the U.S. Maritime Service, or hospitals under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to 6 months of experience. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: 1. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. 2. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets. 3. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. 4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
GS-05 (Developmental Level) (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; or (b) 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. 2. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility. 3. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
GS-06 (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. AND 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.
Preferred Experience:
1 year experience Supply as Medical Supply Technician
2. Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
3. Experience with Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) and surgical instrument processing.
References:
APPENDIX G47. MEDICAL SUPPLY TECHNICIAN (STERILE PROCESSING) QUALIFCATION STANDARD GS-622
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 .
Physical Requirements:
This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, case cart, RME and in other services and departments throughout the Medical Center. 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. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The employee wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warm. The employee uses insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses are unknown. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or RME. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment.
Moderate lifting 15- 44 pounds; Moderate carrying 15- 44 pounds; Pulling hand over hand ; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; kneeling; repeated bending; climbing, legs only; climbing use of legs and arms; both legs required; near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to jaeger 1 to 4 ; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted).
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.
Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
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.
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.
Serves as a Medical Supply Technician (MST) in Sterile Processing Service (SPS) for VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) . SPS provides support to the Medical Center, Bonham, Ft Worth Outpatient Clinic (FWOPC), Garland, and Tyler Outpatient Clinic.
Functions as a (MST) performing a wide variety of duties, including the various cleaning, decontamination and sterilization processes associated Reusable Medical Device (RMD), which includes medical and surgical instrument reprocessing.
This job is open to
- The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
Open to the public. Current and permanent Federal government civilian employees must apply to CAZM-12069935-23-NDB. This is a Open Continuous posting, the 1st cut off date is 8/14/23.
This job is also open in another announcement to:
- Federal employees - Competitive service
- Federal employees - Excepted service
- Internal to an agency
This job is also open in another announcement to:
- Federal employees - Competitive service
- Federal employees - Excepted service
- Internal to an agency
Videos
Duties
This occupation is currently approved for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive through 9/21/24. Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI for a pro-rated amount if onboard prior to the CSI expiration date. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI.
The incumbent functions as a Sterile Processing technician performing a wide variety of duties, that require high level disinfection or sterilization for patient care including instrumentation, surgical trays, endoscopes and various items that can be processed or assembled through the preparation, decontamination, or RMD satellite areas of SPS.
Additional responsibilities will include participation in the SPS quality assurance program to ensure safe reprocessing. This may be achieved through various methods such as the instrument tracking system, documentation, internal audits and required monitoring.
Incumbent will assume continuous training to maintain the knowledge and skill to reprocess all types of RMD to support the operating room, clinics and other services throughout VANTHCS.
SPS Service furnishes the Medical Center with critical and semi-critical RMD and other related materials for use by clinical staff when fulfilling patient care responsibilities.
The incumbent must be able to determine the appropriate reprocessing of RMD to ensure all steps are performed to make a contaminated item reusable or single patient use device patient- ready: Steps may include cleaning, functional testing, repackaging, relabeling, disinfection, or sterilization.
Work Schedule:
Night Shift 11:30pm-08:00am (8 hour shift) Monday- Friday, Tuesday-Saturday, Sunday-Thursday
Evening Shift: 3:30pm-12:00am (8 hour shift) Monday- Friday, Tuesday-Saturday, Sunday-Thursday
May be required to work other shifts, be on call, work weekends and/or holidays as patient care and needs of the service require.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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
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 (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or (2) 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 (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. NOTE: 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:
GS-03 (Entry Level) (a) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-04 (Developmental Level) (a) 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 (b) Education. Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. NOTE: Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or nursing assistants obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces, the U.S. Maritime Service, or hospitals under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to 6 months of experience. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: 1. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. 2. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets. 3. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. 4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
GS-05 (Developmental Level) (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; or (b) 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. 2. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility. 3. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
GS-06 (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. AND 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.
Preferred Experience:
1 year experience Supply as Medical Supply Technician
2. Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
3. Experience with Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) and surgical instrument processing.
References:
APPENDIX G47. MEDICAL SUPPLY TECHNICIAN (STERILE PROCESSING) QUALIFCATION STANDARD GS-622
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 .
Physical Requirements:
This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, case cart, RME and in other services and departments throughout the Medical Center. 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. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The employee wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warm. The employee uses insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses are unknown. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or RME. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment.
Moderate lifting 15- 44 pounds; Moderate carrying 15- 44 pounds; Pulling hand over hand ; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; kneeling; repeated bending; climbing, legs only; climbing use of legs and arms; both legs required; near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to jaeger 1 to 4 ; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted).
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.
Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
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.
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.
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