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Summary The Lead MST works in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team. Provides comprehensive technical support of the IMS (Instrument Management Systems) known as Censitrac and temperature/humidity monitoring systems TempTrak. Assists in the orientation and training, for the Sterile Processing Department personnel of Censitrac and TempTrak. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Functions/Duties Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the goals and function of Sterile Processing, and the role of an effective tracking system contributes to a successful department. Uses knowledge to demonstrate excellent customer services to internal or external customers. Develops and reviews policies and procedures that impact Censitrac and TempTrak. Presents improvements of the system to the Management and seeks approvals for changing SOPs. Recommend amendments for procedures as new technology creates change. Performs data entry for new instrument sets, equipment, and procedural trays and temperature monitoring. Uses a consistent format and naming nomenclature for instrumentation and containers. Tracks additions, modifications and deletions made to instrument set count sheets. Changes should be trended to see who is requesting the change, the reason for the change, and if there are any repetitions over time. Assists in the development of a disaster plan downtime procedures for Censitrac, TempTrak, sterilization equipment, and other systems related to the data that is captured in the tracking system. Run routine administrative reports and provide to the Chief and Assistant Chief SPS and the Reusable Medical equipment Coordinator, relating to new users added to the system, changes in access level for current user, Date of last log on, Unsuccessful log on attempts (identifying potential for PW hacking or use of another's profile). Assists in developing staff competencies for the effective and proper use of Censitrac. Serves as department hardware/software and TempTrak support representative by identifying department needs and by ensuring highest level of performance. Works with Facility IT and Biomed to create a middle layer of troubleshooting administration unless hardware related. Works with Censis Technologies, Inc and TempTrak in troubleshooting documentation issues or system performance issues. Attend the CtUC annual conferences as budget allows. Attendance to the conference should be no less than every other year. Directs and Organizes In collaboration with the Manager, directs the overall activities of Censitrac and TempTrak. Assists the department Educator for orientation, training and ongoing changes as new features are added. Collaborates with other departments to ensure the appropriate professional standards are consistently applied in the sterile processing department. E.g. OSHA, JCAHO, CDC, AAMI, etc. Maintains systems competency as required to perform duties. Train and manage staff assigned to instrument marking, substitute approvals and data entry to the system. Orient new employees to the departments RMD and temp/humidity tacking systems and In-services all staff on proper function of instrumentation tracking and temperature monitoring system. Research, plan and implement new functionality to all shifts, receives, analyzes and resolves all day to day user questions concerning system processing and performs system file maintenance, digital images for individual instruments or sets. Uploads media of all types for the enhancement of accuracy for set assembly, special testing, preventative maintenance. Maintains open and honest channel of communication with user departments, supervisor, peers and other staff. Actively troubleshoots system problems and accessory equipment. Reports problems to Information Services department and follows up with systems vendor for resolution. Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) Have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) as required by this position. Required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of RMD appropriate to this position. Work Schedule: To Be Determined by the Service. Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) 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 #: 436-56429-O 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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). 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: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part) English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. 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-7 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) 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: Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments. Preferred Experience: Develops and reviews policies and procedures that impact Censitrac and Temptrak. Presents improvements of the system to the Management and seeks approvals for changing SOP's. Recommend amendments and procedures as new technology creates change. Performs data entry for new instrument sets, equipment, and procedural trays and temperature monitoring. Uses a consistent format and naming nomenclature for instrumentation and containers. Tracks additions, modifications and deletions made to instrument set count sheets. Run routine administrative reports and provide to the Chief and Assistant Chief SPS. Other duties as assigned. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. 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. 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. Th employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. 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 reusable medical equipment. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of sterilizing equipment. 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. 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.