Career Center

Summary

The Medical Supply Technician is under the administrative and technical supervision of the Chief of SPS and Associate Director of Patient Care Services/Nurse Executive. The incumbent performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination - sterilization - and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME).

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• 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
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j - this part
• Preferred Experience: Sterile Processing certification and 1 year experience or 2 to 5 years of Sterile Processing experience Grade Determination: GS-6 Medical Supply Technician Must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-5. Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings
• (b) Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination
• (c) Working knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy and physiology - microbiology - medical conditions and procedures
• (d) Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation
• (e) Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

Duties

• Responsible for sterile preparation which is accomplished through inspection - assembly - packaging - and terminal sterilization of all trays - sets - and packs for use throughout the facility Assembles delicate micro-surgical sets such as micro-surgical ear set
• ENT plastic set for procedures requiring plastic surgery - microsurgical eye instruments - and other surgical specialties Assembles and selects the correct sterilizing method for a variety of costly and delicate equipment such as flexible resectoscopes and other flexible and rigid endoscopes Tests instruments for functionality and assembles instruments in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines Selects appropriate methods for sterilizing - balancing time constraints with possible detrimental effects of quicker methods Independently prepares the full range of trays and sets necessary to be used in the wards - clinic areas - dental clinic - and surgery Updates trays and count sheets as needed Considers surgery schedules and Clinic schedules along with considering time factors for processing order to determine how many items to stock based on the turnaround time for processing - preparation - and frequency of use Effectively processes and sterilizes a wide variety of implant devices in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations and ensure that they are held for the required time post sterilization per regulations Responsible for the collection and receipt of all used soiled supplies - instruments - or equipment Removes soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids - and other contaminants by wiping - soaking - rinsing - scrubbing and use of ultrasonic equipment Uses approved/recommended germicidal detergent to clean items that cannot be submerged Assumes leadership responsibilities to perform peer training as well as provide user training and instruction pertaining to correct operating and preventative maintenance procedures of medical equipment Regularly tests operations and cleaning of equipment for effectiveness of sterilization Monitors performance of sterilizers for quality control by conducting bacteriological tests (bacillusstearothermophitus spores for evaluation of steam and STERRAD sterilizers and bacillus subtillis for evaluation of gas sterilizers) Conducts daily biological monitoring on numerous different sterilizers throughout SPS Updates the documentation tracking system with results of biological tests Utilizes knowledge (of governing policies and regulating bodies) and experience to react to requests for emergent and/or urgent RME supply needs ensuring positive outcomes Utilizes knowledge of equipment - its use - and specific procedures to respond to inquiries about the equipment and potential equipment substitutions Uses computers to perform record keeping - tracking operations Processes emergent requests - prepares tray lists - and updates files as required Conducts inventory of all sterilized trays checking package integrity and expiration dates Work Schedule: 9:30am - 6pm Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required