Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Department of Veterans Affairs•San Francisco, CA

37d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Medical Supply Technician (MST) works in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team. Distributes and prioritizes workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations. Assures an even workflow and distribution of the workload. Revises work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload. Assigns work to staff based on experience and training needs. Monitors and reports on the status of work. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Leads a unit or team of employees performing work at the GS-6 level or below. Provides guidance and technician direction for accomplishing the work of the unit or team. Ensures work assignments of employees in the unit or team are carried out. Works with the Chief and Assistant Chief, SPS, in the assignment of functions to team members in order to meet routine and unusual deadlines and priorities. Distributes and balances workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established workflow, job specialization and/or capabilities of individual. Is a working Lead Technician, and responsible for filling in and for distributing the workload in case of personnel shortages or short notice priorities, to ensure a smooth workflow. Ensures timely accomplishment of assigned tasks, and ensures that each employee has enough work to keep busy. When necessary, revises work schedule to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload. Assigns work to employees or assigns employees to position. Breaks out tasks as necessary to provide new employees with the experience and training required to perform the task. Assigns work, including overtime, disagreeable or choice tasks, etc., equitably among employees. Explains work requirements, methods and procedures, as needed, giving special instructions on difficult or different operations and answering technical questions about the task. Monitors status and progress of work and makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities. Maintains a current knowledge and answers questions of other employees relating to procedures, policies and directives. Trains or arranges for the training of team members in the accomplishment of tasks or projects. Gives on the-job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices. Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, checking on work in progress and reviewing completed work to see that the supervisor's instructions on priorities, methods, deadlines and quality assurance have been met. Obtains assistance and/or needed information from the supervisory staff on problems that may arise or backlogs that cannot be disposed of promptly. Amends or rejects work not meeting established standards. Refers questions or matters not covered by standards and problems in meeting performance standards to the supervisory staff. Checks the cleaning, reprocessing and distribution of technical medical equipment, material and instrumentation as deemed appropriate to assess the quality and quantity of work produced by each employee. Ensures that items are safe to use, delivered on time at the proper place, and in the correct condition to be properly used for VA patient care. Monitors working conditions such as seating, ventilation, lighting or safety. Approves emergency leave for a few hours or for emergencies in the absence of supervisory staff. Informs employees about the policies, procedures and goals of the service as they relate to the work of the unit and changes thereto. Reports to the supervisor on performance, progress and training needs of employees, and on behavior problems. Informs supervisor of employees' participation, suggestions, and reactions. Resolves simple, informal complaints of employees and refers others, such as formal grievances and appeals, to the supervisor or an appropriate management official. Conducts and records competencies on individuals for the proper reprocessing of RME, following established checklists devised by supervisory staff and approved by Infection Control. Performs quality assurance inspections of instruments and equipment in the Sterile Preparation area of SPS prior to items being wrapped and sterilized. Conducts inspection of the Decontamination area of SPS to verify that proper techniques and processes are being followed by staff and that all equipment is working properly. Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as required by this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME appropriate to this position. The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RME appropriate to this position.

Requirements

Knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Equipment (RME)
Maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME appropriate to this position.
Demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RME appropriate to this position.

Responsibilities

Leads a unit or team of employees performing work at the GS-6 level or below.
Provides guidance and technician direction for accomplishing the work of the unit or team.
Ensures work assignments of employees in the unit or team are carried out.
Works with the Chief and Assistant Chief, SPS, in the assignment of functions to team members in order to meet routine and unusual deadlines and priorities.
Distributes and balances workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established workflow, job specialization and/or capabilities of individual.
Is a working Lead Technician, and responsible for filling in and for distributing the workload in case of personnel shortages or short notice priorities, to ensure a smooth workflow.
Ensures timely accomplishment of assigned tasks, and ensures that each employee has enough work to keep busy.
Revises work schedule to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload.
Assigns work to employees or assigns employees to position.
Assigns work, including overtime, disagreeable or choice tasks, etc., equitably among employees.
Explains work requirements, methods and procedures, as needed, giving special instructions on difficult or different operations and answering technical questions about the task.
Monitors status and progress of work and makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities.
Maintains a current knowledge and answers questions of other employees relating to procedures, policies and directives.
Trains or arranges for the training of team members in the accomplishment of tasks or projects.
Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, checking on work in progress and reviewing completed work to see that the supervisor's instructions on priorities, methods, deadlines and quality assurance have been met.
Obtains assistance and/or needed information from the supervisory staff on problems that may arise or backlogs that cannot be disposed of promptly.
Amends or rejects work not meeting established standards.
Refers questions or matters not covered by standards and problems in meeting performance standards to the supervisory staff.
Checks the cleaning, reprocessing and distribution of technical medical equipment, material and instrumentation as deemed appropriate to assess the quality and quantity of work produced by each employee.
Monitors working conditions such as seating, ventilation, lighting or safety.
Approves emergency leave for a few hours or for emergencies in the absence of supervisory staff.
Informs employees about the policies, procedures and goals of the service as they relate to the work of the unit and changes thereto.
Reports to the supervisor on performance, progress and training needs of employees, and on behavior problems.
Resolves simple, informal complaints of employees and refers others, such as formal grievances and appeals, to the supervisor or an appropriate management official.
Conducts and records competencies on individuals for the proper reprocessing of RME, following established checklists devised by supervisory staff and approved by Infection Control.
Performs quality assurance inspections of instruments and equipment in the Sterile Preparation area of SPS prior to items being wrapped and sterilized.
Conducts inspection of the Decontamination area of SPS to verify that proper techniques and processes are being followed by staff and that all equipment is working properly.