AddressSummary The Hudson Valley HCS is looking for one Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing). This position is located in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) section located under the Associate Director of Patient Care services of the Hudson Valley VA Medical Center. SPS is responsible for the reprocessing of all critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices RMD. Responsibilities Duties and Responsibilities Incumbent serves as a Sterile Processing Technician for SPS. Works independently under the general supervision of the Chief, SPS and Assistant Chief, SPS, and the Lead Tech. The incumbent is responsible for carrying out compliance with manufacturer recommendations for cleaning, preparation, sterilization and storage of RME. The incumbent must possess the knowledge and skills to accurately and meticulously preform the decontamination process and sterilize a wide variety of complex, critical medical, surgical and dental devices. Receives, disassembles, and inspects reusable medical supplies and equipment for damage. Incumbent assembles and loads case carts. Receives periodic training in such areas as the use and functioning of new equipment, instruments; new or improved sterilization practices, and developments in new technology as if affects SPS operations. Uses advance technologies to comply with VA directives, and other VA directives and/or guidelines through Office of Sterile Processing (OSP). PREPARATION AND PACKAGING AREA: As a Sterile Processing technician (Medical Supply Technician) assigned to the preparation area, the incumbent is required to inspect, assemble, package, wrap, and sterilize various instruments and instrument sets. The incumbent monitors operation of sterilizers with prescribed tests in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and documents appropriately. Prepares bacteriological spore tests and reads the results of the test, recording those results as appropriate. Receives sterilized trays, set, and equipment from the sterilizer, checks for effectiveness of sterilization, places tags on sterilized material indicating date of sterilization and expiration date, and stocks shelves with sterilized material using first in first out method. Uses the ISO 9001 e-QMS (electronic quality monitoring system) to reconcile inventory sheets from the intake area and reports all non-conformities and SPS requirements not met in the e-QMS (electronic quality monitoring system) system. The incumbent will out take all sterile items that are leaving the department by reconciling the inventory sheets that have been uploaded into the e-QMS (electronic quality monitoring system). Out take areas include, all user services and sterile storage. DECONTAMINATION AREA: Decontaminates the full range of reusable medical devices the word equipment is no longer in use all need to be changed to RMD reusable medical devices, equipment used in the medical center's patient care units, clinics and procedure rooms. Determines and uses the appropriate method for removing gross contamination and bioburden, dissembles and reassembles equipment where the internal parts become contaminated by following manufacturer guidelines for cleaning. Operates various kinds of equipment such as ultrasonic cleaners, washers, dental handpiece service units, leak testers, sterilizers, AER's, Steris, and Sterrad. Incumbent determines correct method for pre-cleaning and decontamination. Removes soil, blood, bone, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other gross contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing, brushing and the use of ultrasonic equipment. Loads, unloads and operates Instrument washer disinfector and ultrasonic washer, accurately determining the settings based on the manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU) and the high-risk protocols for each device. Incumbent is responsible for the cleaning, leak testing, decontamination and selection of proper method of sterilization and/or high-level disinfection for flexible and rigid endoscopes in accordance with the manufacturer guidelines. Incumbent uses the e-QMS (electronic quality monitoring system) to scan and upload inventory sheets that accompany RMDE being brought to the decontamination room. The incumbent inventories items received to ensure compliance of receiving complete surgical trays and cassettes and individual devices. The incumbent will enter all non-conformities and requirements not met into the e-QMS (electronic quality monitoring system). The incumbent performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 12:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 23747-A 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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 Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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. Certification. None. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.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 may at times be warm/hot, drafty or varied light with loud machinery. 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. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. 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 a 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. In addition to the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also meet the Grade Determinations below: GS-05 (Developmental Level) 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. 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. Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing. Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Prepares, loads, and operates sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments. GS-06 (Full Performance 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: 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. Assignment. This is the full performance level for the occupation. Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. Disassembles the RMD and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Preferred Experience: One year of Sterile Processing experience. Previous experience with oneSource, must be able to navigate computer programs with ease, able to follow detailed instructions. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/83 PART II APPENDIX G47 The full performance level of this vacancy is 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: 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. 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.
