Lead Medical Supply Technician (Advanced Level)- Sterile Processing

Veterans Health Administration • Miami, FL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Miami VA Healthcare System’s Sterile Processing Service is seeking an experienced Lead Medical Supply Technician (MST) to support quality care and the development of a VA academic hospital program. The Lead MST provides sterilization, preparation, decontamination, and distribution support for supplies and reusable medical equipment (RME), working in support of the SPS management team.

This is a working lead position. The incumbent distributes and prioritizes workload, assigns staff according to workflow, specialization, experience, and training needs, and adjusts schedules to address changing priorities or staffing shortages. The Lead MST monitors work and productivity, checks work in progress, reviews completed work, and reports progress and performance-related information to management. The incumbent explains procedures and requirements, answers staff questions, provides or arranges training, and conducts and records competencies using established checklists.

The position includes quality assurance inspections in decontamination and sterile preparation areas. The Lead MST verifies that processes and equipment are functioning properly and that instruments are clean, properly disassembled, in good working order, and ready for safe use in patient care. The incumbent may also monitor workplace conditions and contact the Nursing Supervisor on call to approve emergency leave when supervisory staff are absent.

Work takes place in decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply areas, and other services and departments throughout the medical facility or campus. Conditions may include hot, cold, drafty, poorly lighted, noisy, or contaminated environments. The work involves handling medical instruments and equipment, wearing protective clothing and equipment, and exposure to heat, sterilizing gases, body fluids, tissue, and strong odors. The schedule is Monday through Friday, with one of several listed shifts; weekends and holidays may also be scheduled. The supervisor may require different shifts temporarily or permanently based on facility or patient-care needs.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet the basic experience or education requirement: six months of qualifying experience; or one year of education above high school including at least six semester hours in health-care-related courses; or an equivalent combination of qualifying experience and education.
• For the GS-07 level, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Ability to instruct staff on correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments.
• Skill communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules, and regulations.
• Interpersonal skills for dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.
• Knowledge of sterility principles sufficient to instruct staff on decontamination procedures.
• Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments.
• Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, pre-employment physical evaluation, and drug testing if selected for a testing-designated position.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to the stated requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of experience as an SPS lead technician.
• At least two years of experience as a surgical technician.
• Ability to direct staff, manage tasks, and communicate effectively as a lead technician.
• Interpersonal skills in dealing with end users, team leaders, and managers.
• Knowledge of sterility principles, including decontamination, preparation and packaging, GI, high-level disinfection, and sterilization.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and organize work assignments.
• Expertise in identifying surgical instruments.
• Experience assembling complex orthopedic, vascular, and heart trays, as well as delicate eye trays.
• Experience with DaVinci.
• Proficiency with an electronic instrument tracking system, preferably CensiTrac.
• Certification such as CBSPD, IAHCSMM, or HSPA and CIS.

Responsibilities

• Provide sterilization, preparation, decontamination, and distribution support for supplies and reusable medical equipment.
• Distribute and balance workload among employees according to workflow, job specialization, individual capabilities, and established priorities.
• Assign work and staff positions, including assigning tasks to provide new employees with needed experience and training.
• Adjust work schedules and assignments to address anticipated or unanticipated workload changes, staffing shortages, and urgent priorities.
• Monitor and report work status and progress; check work in progress and review completed work for compliance with instructions, procedures, methods, deadlines, and quality assurance requirements.
• Explain work requirements, methods, and procedures; provide special instructions and answer technical and policy-related questions from staff.
• Train or arrange training for team members and provide on-the-job training to new employees.
• Conduct and record employee competencies for proper RME reprocessing using established checklists.
• Perform quality assurance inspections of instruments and equipment in the sterile preparation area before wrapping and sterilization.
• Inspect decontamination processes and equipment to verify staff follow proper techniques and equipment is working properly.
• Inspect instruments for proper disassembly, cleanliness, condition, alignment, sharpness, and operation.
• Check cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of technical medical equipment, materials, and instruments to assess work quality and quantity.
• Ensure items are safe to use, delivered on time to the proper location, and in suitable condition for VA patient care.
• Obtain supervisory assistance or information about problems or backlogs; amend or reject work that does not meet standards and refer unresolved matters to supervisory staff.
• Monitor workplace conditions such as seating, ventilation, lighting, and safety.
• Contact the Nursing Supervisor on call to approve emergency leave when supervisory staff are absent.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families.
• Selected applicants may request prior work or military service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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