Advanced Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

This position is in the Salisbury VA Health Care System, Salisbury NC in the Sterile Processing Service Department (SPS). The incumbent of this position serves as a knowledgeable Advanced Medical Supply Technician for Sterile Processing Services and all other areas in the facility where reprocessing of reusable medical equipment (RME) takes place. Duties for this position include but are not limited to: The Advanced MST • SPS OR Coordinator will be responsible for communicating on a daily basis with all staff members associated with the OR, including the Charge Nurse, the Manager and Assistant Manager of the OR, and all surgical RNs and scrub technicians. The Liaison is responsible for providing communication with the OR to ensure that all trays and instruments required for daily surgeries are available. In addition, the SPS OR Coordinator will work with the key figures in the OR to coordinate the building and rearranging of trays to fit the physician's needs. The Liaison will make sure that all involved in surgical cases are aware of what trays are needed and the number of trays that are required for each surgery. The Liaison maintains a count of all trays that are part of Surgical Service's inventory. In addition, the Advanced MST • SPS OR Coordinator must knowledgeable of the workings of the SPS field beyond that of a lower grade MST. The Advanced MST is responsible for following Manufacturer's Instructions for Use (IFU's), ensuring items are sorted, cleaned, decontaminated, or disinfected in the Decontamination section of SPS. Items requiring additional processing, packaging and sterilization are sent to the Preparation and Packaging section of SPS where they are inspected for cleanliness, functionality, and quantity. Following IFU's, these items are then assembled, packaged, and sterilized accordingly. The Advanced MST decontaminates all reusable supplies and equipment in a manner rendering all decontaminated items safe for handling. The Advanced MST determines proper methods and processes to follow per SOP's and Manufacturer's Instructions for Use to decontaminate instruments and equipment. When required, properly disassembles Surgical Instruments avoiding damage or unnecessary wear. Uses seasoned judgment to ensure minimum potential for damage to equipment. In the performance of the duties the Advanced MST will have responsibility involved with one, or all, the following functions pertaining to Re-Usable Medical Equipment (RME) cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of equipment to full readiness for its subsequent use. Medical equipment designed by the manufacturer to be re-used for multiple patients that are accompanied by reprocessing instructions provided by the manufacturer is considered RME. The result of these duties and responsibilities are to ensure the best possible Product is delivered, the right item, at the right time, in the right condition, ready for use. The Advanced MST will attend training on either one, or all, the procedures associated with the set-up, use, reprocessing and maintenance of new equipment prior to its initial use that leads to his/her initial competency and, validation of that competency on a recurring basis. Removes items from washers and pass-through and determines type of tray or set to assemble based on recognition of key items and the operating room or clinic schedules. The Advanced MST examines items to ensure that gross contamination has been removed; if items remain contaminated, they are sent back to Decontamination for complete reprocessing. The Advanced MST assembles sets and trays by selecting appropriate tray, lining it with a towel, and arranging instruments in the tray in the correct manner. The Advanced MST strives for a logically arranged package that will permit effective penetration of the sterilizing medium and ease of use by end user. Visually examines items for damage, deterioration, or imperfections such as rust, pitting, and cracks. The Advanced MST medical equipment to determine whether it operates correctly after re-assembly. Sends malfunctioning or damaged equipment to repair or salvage unit The Advanced MST examines all types of reusable supplies and equipment. Selects correct wrapping for the tray and wraps and labels tray. The Advanced MST monitors operation of sterilizer with prescribed tests. Determines appropriate method of sterilization and attaches chemical indicator tape to package. The Advanced MST sterilizes items referencing SOP's to determine that correct parameters (e.g. time, temperature, and pressure) were obtained. The Advanced MST distributes items according to established requirements, special requests or as requisitioned. Fills requests for items based on daily schedules of needs or on individual requisitions. Consults with the Operating Room staff and our clinic customers on items in short supply or out of stock, recommending possible substitutions. Work Schedule: Monday • Friday 5:30am • 2pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. 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. 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). 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. Grade Determinations: GS-07 (Advanced 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: Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others. Assignment. The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room. Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment. Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines. Preferred Experience: Three (3) to five (5) years of sterile processing and operating room coordination. Must understand the operating room case scheduling patterns, surgeon preferences, turnover protocols, and assembling case carts. 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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. 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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/.