Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration • Marion, IL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) works in the Sterile Processing Service at the Marion VA Health Care System in Marion, Illinois. The technician decontaminates critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices (RMDs), and may also process noncritical equipment. Work includes disassembling devices and selecting cleaning methods in accordance with manufacturer instructions; inspecting, assembling, and packaging devices for sterilization or high-level disinfection; and preparing instrument sets and trays for wards, clinics, and operating rooms. The technician also performs and documents daily operational checks and records for sterilization equipment, and disposes of broken or unusable items under established procedures. Guidance is provided by more experienced staff and SPS management.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is not eligible for telework and is not a virtual position. The full-performance level is GS-06; the selection grade range is GS-03 through GS-06.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Must complete the application, questionnaire, online assessment, and other required application steps.
• Selected applicants are subject to pre-appointment drug testing, background/security investigation, and online onboarding requirements.
• Must meet the basic qualification through six months of relevant experience, one year of qualifying education above high school, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• For GS-04, must meet the stated experience or education qualification and demonstrate knowledge of universal precautions, basic medical terminology, basic sterilization and cleaning equipment, and oral and written communication ability.
• For GS-05, must meet the stated experience or education qualification and demonstrate basic knowledge of surgical instruments, event-related packaging and sterility, and sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• For GS-06, must have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade and demonstrate knowledge of surgical instruments, universal precautions, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures, sterility principles, and the ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• The position requires long periods of standing, walking, bending, and lifting; frequent lifting of instrument containers weighing more than 25 pounds; dexterity and strength for positioning devices; and regularly pushing loaded carts weighing several hundred pounds.
• Must be able to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities based on needs.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the conditions described in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in sterile processing as a Medical Supply Technician or operating room experience.
• Additional certification, such as Certified Registered Central Service, Certified Endoscope Reprocessing, Certified Instrument Specialist, or Healthcare Sterile Processing Association certification.

Responsibilities

• Receive contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices in decontamination areas and, as applicable, receive noncritical equipment.
• Disassemble reusable medical devices and determine the appropriate cleaning method in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
• Remove soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants using methods such as wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing.
• Inspect and assemble devices and determine the appropriate packaging method for sterilization or high-level disinfection.
• Dispose of broken and unusable items in accordance with established protocols and procedures.
• Visually and manually inspect instruments and equipment for damage, deterioration, or imperfections.
• Package items and assemble sets or trays for wards and clinics, as well as complex instrument sets for operating rooms.
• Perform and document daily operational checks and records for sterilization equipment.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed