Advanced Medical Supply Technician

Veterans Health Administration•Loma Linda, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

This Advanced Medical Supply Technician position is with the Sterile Processing Service at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System in Loma Linda, California. Sterile Processing Service is responsible for sterilizing, preparing, and distributing reusable medical equipment (RME). The Advanced MST accurately reprocesses critical and semi-critical RME, including decontamination, scope reprocessing, preparation, sterilization, supply items, and case cart assembly. The position receives guidance from a Lead MST and works with little or no supervision, while overseeing the work of lower-grade employees. The technician receives contaminated equipment, disassembles it, selects appropriate cleaning and decontamination methods in accordance with manufacturer instructions, inspects and assembles instruments, and selects the correct sterilization method and packaging. Equipment and methods include ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical and cart washers, chemical cleaning agents, steam, VPro, ethylene oxide, and high-level disinfection reprocessors. The technician may prepare operating-room case carts according to the surgery schedule and assembles instrument sets and trays for use throughout the medical center. The position also involves operating and troubleshooting complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, documenting daily operational checks, maintaining records, and performing quality-assurance checks. The incumbent attends training on new equipment and procedures, establishes and maintains competency, assists educators and supervisors with staff training and competency validation, and informs management and healthcare staff when standard operating procedures or manufacturer instructions are updated. Certification must be maintained through approved annual continuing education units and annual in-service hours. The work schedule is 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., with 24-hour on-call weekends. Telework and virtual work are not available. Occasional travel may be required to support an Ambulatory Care Center or attend VHA-sponsored training or certification courses. The work takes place in decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply, and other areas of the medical facility. Conditions may include hot, cold, drafty, noisy, or poorly lit areas; exposure to body fluids, tissue, unpleasant odors, sterilizing gases, hot items, and material-handling hazards; and wearing special clothing and personal protective equipment. The job requires standing and walking throughout the workday, frequent bending and lifting packages occasionally weighing up to 50 pounds, and dexterity and visual acuity to handle instruments. A valid California driver's license is required to operate a government vehicle.

Requirements

One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 level.
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 orally and in writing.
U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Must meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete required pre-employment onboarding and screening.
Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Must complete a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid California driver's license to operate a government vehicle.
Must be able to meet the physical demands of the work, including standing and walking throughout the workday, frequent bending and lifting packages occasionally weighing up to 50 pounds, and using dexterity and visual acuity to manipulate instruments.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of SPS RMD ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers, and chemical cleaning or decontamination agents, following instructions for use.
Experience inspecting, preparing, and assembling equipment and selecting sterilization methods and packaging, including steam, VPro, and high-level-disinfection endoscopic reprocessors such as Evo-tech, OERs, and Medivators.
Ability to assemble basic instrument sets and trays for medical-center use.
Ability to assist with staff training and quality-assurance inspections.
Experience performing work involving decontamination, sterilization, and inspection of reusable medical devices.
Experience documenting daily operational checks and records for sterilization equipment and performing quality-assurance checks.
Ability to work independently with little supervision and perform ad hoc duties as needed.

Responsibilities

Receive contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment, and sometimes noncritical equipment, in the decontamination area.
Disassemble reusable medical equipment and determine appropriate cleaning methods and agents according to manufacturer instructions.
Remove soil, blood, tissue, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing.
Inspect, prepare, and assemble equipment and select appropriate sterilization methods and packaging.
Reprocess complex endoscopic instrumentation and assemble complex and basic instrument sets and trays for clinical and operating-room use.
Prepare operating-room case carts, as needed, using the surgery schedule.
Operate decontamination, cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization equipment.
Perform and document daily operational checks and maintain records for sterilization equipment.
Troubleshoot mechanical failures, make necessary equipment adjustments, and interpret equipment alarms.
Perform quality-assurance checks and assist with staff training and competency validation.
Attend training on new equipment and procedures and maintain competency through recurring validation.
Notify management and healthcare staff of updated cleaning and processing procedures or manufacturer instructions and help ensure changes are validated.
Oversee the work of lower-grade employees.
Maintain certification by completing approved annual continuing education units and annual in-service hours.
Perform other related duties as assigned.