Summary

This position is located in the Sterile Processing Services (SPS) Division of Patient Care Services. SPS encompasses cleaning - decontamination - and sterile processing of all critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment - including the RME delivered from Outpatient clinics of Lyons and Brick Campuses. Employees are scheduled to tours of duty within administrative hours - but not limited to weekends and on-calls - as needed.

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:

• 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 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
• 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 Determinations: GS-06 (Full Performance Level) Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) 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
• Preferred Experience: 3- 5 years of experience as a MST in SPS
• 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-06
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Receive - clean(ultrasonic/manual) and inspect spoiled instruments from various clinics
• Operate sterilization systems (Steam - Low-temperature plasma) and high level disinfectants
• Assemble and package surgical trays and medical instruments per established guidelines
• Use the instrument tracking system (Censitrac) to document and monitor instrument processing
• Maintain accurate sterilization records and perform quality control checks
• Ensure proper handling and disposal of biohazardous waste in compliance with safety standards
• Adhere to safety protocols and use appropriate (PPE) Participate in mandatory SPS Level I and II training - staff meetings - and quality improvement initiatives Familiarity with AAMI/ISO standards and infection control policies Collaborate with clinical staff to verify sterile status of implants and other non-biological items
• Perform other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 9:00am-5:30 p.m
• 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) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 21W22-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized