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Summary The Advanced Medical Supply Technician (MST) is responsible for the decontamination, disinfecting, reprocessing, packaging, sterilization, and storage of critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME). Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment and reprocessing methodologies. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME, some non-critical RME, in the decontamination area. Disassembles RME per manufacturers' guidelines. Determines appropriate method of decontamination based on local Standard Operating Procedures and manufacturers' written cleaning instructions. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing. Operates decontamination equipment such as washer decontaminators, sonic washers, irrigators, laparoscopic insulation tester, automatic cart wash; AER and tube dryers. Assembles specialty and complex trays, laparoscopic, and endoscope trays used for a variety of general and specialized medical and surgical procedures. Knowledgeable of all clinic trays, instrumentation, equipment and par levels required to maintain continuity of care. Prior to sterilization, performs quality assurance activities including monitoring biological and chemical indicators, Bowie dick tests, and time/temperature graphs. After sterilization, ensures appropriate RME checks are documented. Other quality assurance activities include verification or accurate labeling of packaging, packaging contents, cleanliness and working order, and verification of sterilization parameters. Data gathered is evaluated and findings and recommendations to improve effectiveness or processes are made to the supervisor/lead. Incumbent is responsible for following the local Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) drafted in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendations when reprocessing RME. SPS supervisors and Infection Prevention and Control should be consulted when clarification of written instructions are needed. Incumbent will not reprocess any reusable medical equipment based on vendor's verbal instruction alone; this is not an adequate practice. Incumbent will perform and document daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. The incumbent reprocessing RME must have documented training in the setup, reprocessing and maintenance of specific equipment. Initial validation of competency will be done, and minimally, on an annual basis. The incumbent that has the responsibility of reprocessing RME can suspend the reuse of any RME if it is suspected the device was not properly cleaned, disinfected or sterilized according to the SOP and manufacturer's guidelines. The incumbent must have an in-depth knowledge of the importance in reprocessing of RME according to manufacturer guidelines and the significant impact on our Veteran population through the risk of infectious disease. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 3:30pm - Midnight Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40810-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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 trial 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. Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. Experience and/or Education. Experience. Six (6) months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work. OR Education. One (1) 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. 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 DETERMINATION - GS-07 Experience. One (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Ability to read and interpret written procedures and select appropriate action in order to instruct staff in correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff 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. Note: You must provide detailed information of your experience performed. Information such as "I was a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)" is insufficient to determine your qualifications. Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. 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-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Work requires walking, standing, bending, stooping, and stretching. It may require some lifting and/or carrying heavy items during the course of the work day. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office setting, the SPS work area or other clinical settings. Incumbent is required to wear protective clothing and be subjected to loud noises from machinery and offensive smells. Incumbent must exercise various safety precautions, protective measures/ devices, etc., eg wearing protective gown, mask, and or gloves. Incumbent must carefully monitor the work area to minimize potential exposure to hydrogen peroxide and other hazardous materials, ensuring compliance with OSHA, EPA, VA and local polices and regulations. Education There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level. 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. 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.