Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) position for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in the Sterile Processing Service of the Salt Lake City George E. Whalen Hospital. This position will be supporting the decontamination, preparation, and sterilization/high-level disinfection and distribution of the facilities critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment. 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: 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. 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). All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. (2) MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Preferred Experience: GS-03 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04 (Developmental Level) 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 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. 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) Experience. 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. 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/76 PART II APPENDIX G47 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06. 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 MST may be required to work in areas that are hot, humid, 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 work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of equipment. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["This is a developmental level Medical Supply Technician (MST) position. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, preparation, sterilization/high-level disinfection and distribution of reusable medical equipment (RME). Operates equipment involved in decontamination, preparation, and sterilization processes. MSTs at the GS 6 level receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct observation. Responsible for tracking RME and documenting all Quality Assurance involved in decontamination, preparation, and sterilization. Required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, preparation, sterilization/high-level disinfection and distribution of RME. Able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RME appropriate to this position. The MST will be required to remove gross soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, brushing, scrubbing, soaking, rinsing, ultrasonic washing and mechanical washing. Required to inspect and assemble RME according to SOPs and/or IFUs. The MST will prepare RME for appropriate sterilization in sterilizer that utilize high or low temperature sterilization methods. Required to utilize an automated endoscope re-processor (AER). Perform work in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. Required to work in areas that are hot or cold. The MST 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). Requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. On a regular and recurring basis, the MST alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. Wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment (PPE) that can be uncomfortably warm. Uses insulated gloves to remove RME and carts from washers and sterilizers. Subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. Often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of reprocessing equipment. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: (3) Monday-Friday 2pm-10:30pm (2) Monday-Friday 10:00pm-6:30am Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #: 54534-A., 54535-A, 54536-A, 54538-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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