Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration • Houston, TX

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Sterile Processing Service (SPS), under the Associate Director of Patient Care Services Office, supports the medical center through the sterilization, preparation, supply, decontamination, and distribution of reusable medical devices (RMDs). The Lead Medical Supply Technician works in support of the SPS management team and must maintain current knowledge of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of RMDs. The technician ensures work follows approved SOPs, manufacturer guidance, and VA guidelines, and is responsible for the quality assurance and safety of work produced.

This position is full-time and has a Monday–Friday schedule from 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., with rotating weekends and holidays. The schedule may change based on facility needs. The position is not telework or virtual. Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks and normal safety precautions, though the role involves handling several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Physical activities may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. Personal protective equipment and annual TB screening or testing may be required.

The position is at the GS-07 level. It is a permanent position in the Excepted Service. Recruitment or relocation incentives and relocation assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Six months of experience demonstrating ability to perform the work or understanding of the work; or one year of education above high school including at least six semester hours of health-care-related courses; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• For GS-07, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Ability to instruct staff on 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 when dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.
• Knowledge of sterility principles to instruct staff on decontamination procedures.
• Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and any required pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, and identification checks.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and, where required, undergo annual TB screening or testing.
• Must meet the stated application and education documentation requirements; foreign education must be evaluated as described in the announcement.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Nice To Haves

• HSPA certification.
• CBSPD certification.
• Knowledge of reprocessing RME and responsibility for reusable instruments, equipment, medical devices, or supplies.

Responsibilities

• Provide sterilization, preparation, supply, decontamination, and distribution support for medical center equipment and reusable medical devices.
• Distribute and prioritize employees’ workloads according to established workflows and job specializations.
• Make work assignments to address anticipated and unanticipated workload changes, taking staff experience and training needs into account.
• Ensure employees follow SOPs and SPS mandates during workflow.
• Review work in progress or spot-check completed work to ensure it follows supervisors’ instructions on work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines.
• Assess the quality and quantity of work involving cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of technical medical equipment, materials, and instrumentation.
• Inform management officials about performance issues, assignment changes, and task completion.
• Instruct employees on work-related activities, policies, procedures, and goals.
• Ensure work follows approved SOPs, manufacturer guidance, and VA guidelines.
• Assure the quality and safety of work produced.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Potential child care subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs may be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED