Lead Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration•Portland, OR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The VA Portland Health Care System is a Complexity Level 1a Facility providing extensive primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care across various settings. This Lead Medical Supply Technician (MST) role is responsible for leading the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) team. The incumbent must effectively direct and communicate with SPS personnel to ensure user unit needs are consistently met. Strong organizational and detail-oriented skills are required to guide Medical Supply Technicians (GS-0622-3/4/5/6) in completing tasks accurately and in a timely manner. The position involves accommodating special and emergent requirements through consultation and coordination with medical/surgical staff, and advising medical personnel on the proper use of sterile medical equipment and potential issues. The role requires knowledge of Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) processes, including cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation, and maintaining current knowledge of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Proficiency in the use of RMD is also required.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Must complete an online onboarding process.
Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
Driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment effective May 7, 2025.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement.
Must complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section.
Must serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or 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 Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures.
Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments.

Nice To Haves

Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments.
Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations.
Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.

Responsibilities

Distributes and balances the workload among staff to ensure timely processing.
Keeps in touch with the status and progress of work, and makes just-in-time adjustments in accordance with established priorities.
Reports on expected time of completion of work and maintains records. Prepares reports as requested.
Instructs employees on specific tasks and job techniques and makes available written instructions and reference materials.
Provides/assists with onboarding and training of new employees.
Maintains current knowledge and answers questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives, etc.
Spot checks work in progress and assists in reviewing completed work to see that instructions, work sequences, procedures, methods and deadlines have been met.
Amends or rejects work not meeting established standards. Refers to the supervisor; questions or issues not covered by standards and/or problems in meeting performance standards.
Monitors working conditions such as seating, ventilation, lighting, safety, PPE, etc.
May inform employees of available services and employee activities.
Resolves simple, informal complaints of employees, but refers more complex situations to the supervisor.
Reports to the supervisor on performance, progress, and training needs of employees.
Reports all behavior problems to supervisor.
Maintains current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RMD appropriate to this position.
Demonstrates ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RMD appropriate to this position.