Summary

The position is assigned to the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) under the Chief of SPS at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center (LAJVAMC).

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency - English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d) Experience and/or Education - Experience - Six months of experience that demonstrates the 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-06 Medical Supply Technician (Full Performance Level) - Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-06 you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5)
• Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Removing soil - blood - tissue fragments - body fluids - and other containments by wiping - soaking - rinsing - and scrubbing
• Inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization - assembling basic sets and trays used throughout a medical facility including those used in the operating room
• preparing - loading - and operating sterilizers such as steam - Sterrad - Steris - ETO - and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor
• prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - you must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings
• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination
• Working knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy and physiology - microbiology - medical conditions and procedures
• Knowledge of sterility principles in regard to instrumentation
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures
• 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 6
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 6 Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for prolonged periods of time - carrying medical supply items weighing up to 50 pounds - frequent bending and stretching/reaching - and pushing fully loaded medical supply carts weighing as much as 750 pounds which must be negotiated up inclines and over rises - or positioning them on sterilizer track rails
• The work requires dexterity in such tasks as inserting small rods into needle openings or precisely aligning component parts while reassembling medical equipment
• Tension and stress are induced by the critical nature of producing work results critical to patient care on pre-established time frames and in emergent situations
• Workdays can be lengthened without notice by emergency surgery instrumentation needs.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Collecting - processing and decontamination of soiled supplies - instruments - and equipment
• Instrument preparation and sterilization
• Medical equipment maintenance - receiving - storing - and distribution of medical and surgical supplies - instruments - and equipment
• Decontamination - preparation - case carts - and endoscope reprocessing
• Decontaminating - cleaning - and pre-sterilizing Reusable Medical Equipment utilized in patient care areas
• Inventorying and replenishing the medical supply areas RME of the wards - surgical areas - clinics - and all support services throughout the facility - etc
• Reprocessing of GI endoscopy equipment - or assembling and sterilizing the full range of trays and sets used in a medical and surgical facility
• Choosing the correct items - inspecting them for removal of gross contamination and properly placing them on trays or sets taking care to protect delicate instruments - points - and cutting edges
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 2:30pm 11:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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 #: 23133F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized