Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration • Tulsa, OK

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System is hiring one Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) for the Ernest Childers VA Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The role performs work related to the decontamination, sterilization, inspection, and assembly of reusable medical equipment (RME), including basic instrument sets and trays, and prepares operating room case carts. The technician receives contaminated instruments from clinical areas, inspects them for damage and proper function, and determines cleaning and decontamination methods according to manufacturers’ instructions. Work includes manual and equipment-assisted cleaning, disassembly and inspection of instruments, assembly of sets and trays, selection and operation of sterilization equipment and cycles, and monitoring and documenting sterilizer performance and load contents. Instruments and equipment are processed according to manufacturer guidelines. The technician may process dental handpieces and specialty instruments and receives periodic training on new instruments, equipment, and techniques.

The position requires a current, valid state driver’s license. The employee drives a government vehicle to transport reusable medical equipment from Community Based Clinics to the main campus, potentially traveling more than 100 miles per day on highways and in city traffic. The work schedule is full-time, Monday through Friday, 0800–1630; telework is unavailable. The full performance level is GS-6, and the vacancy may be filled at grades GS-3 through GS-6.

Work takes place in decontamination, preparation, clean supply areas, and other hospital departments. Conditions may be hot, cold, drafty, or poorly lit. The position involves standing and walking throughout the shift, frequent bending, lifting up to 50 pounds, handling and assembling instruments requiring dexterity and visual acuity, moving between contaminated and clean areas, and wearing required protective equipment. Exposure may include hot surfaces, strong or unpleasant odors, body fluids, and noisy equipment.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Meet the basic experience and/or education requirement: six months of relevant experience; or one year of post-high-school education including at least six semester hours in related health care courses; or an equivalent combination.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Current, valid state driver’s license.
• For GS-4, six months of relevant experience or two years of post-high-school education including at least 12 semester hours related to the occupation; applicable Armed Forces, Maritime Service, or supervised hospital training may substitute for up to six months of experience.
• For GS-4, knowledge of universal precautions and prevention of cross-contamination; basic medical terminology; basic sterilization and cleaning equipment; and oral and written communication skills.
• For GS-5, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade or qualifying education; and basic knowledge of surgical instruments, event-related packaging and sterility, and sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• For GS-6, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade; and knowledge of surgical instruments, universal precautions, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures, and sterility principles, plus ability to interpret written instructions and procedures.
• Complete the required application steps, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including a physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis for illegal drug use; undergo background/security investigation and complete online onboarding.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience as a sterile processing or scrub technician in an outpatient or hospital setting.
• Knowledge of instrument tracking systems (ITS).
• Attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Receive contaminated reusable medical equipment and instruments from operating rooms, dental clinics, endoscopy, nursing units, eye clinics, wound care, podiatry, and other areas; inspect for damage and proper working condition.
• Determine appropriate decontamination, cleaning, and disinfection methods in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions.
• Remove blood, tissue, bone fragments, body fluids, soil, and other contaminants through manual cleaning and use of ultrasonic and other cleaning equipment.
• Disassemble, inspect, clean, lubricate, and reassemble reusable medical supplies, instruments, dental handpieces, and specialty instruments.
• Load and operate washer-disinfectors, cart washers, sterilizers, and other equipment used in cleaning and sterilization processes.
• Select appropriate trays and assemble instrument sets according to required configurations and operating room or clinic schedules.
• Select appropriate sterilization methods, media, and cycles; prepare and operate sterilizers, including steam and hydrogen peroxide gas plasma systems.
• Monitor sterilizer performance and quality control using prescribed tests, including bacteriological challenge tests, and record results.
• Document sterilization load contents and maintain required sterilization records and equipment checks.
• Prepare operating room case carts using operating room and clinic schedules.
• Receive periodic training on new medical, dental, and surgical instruments, equipment, and techniques, and keep current with relevant literature and manufacturer communications.
• Drive a government vehicle to transport reusable medical equipment from Community Based Clinics to the main campus.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, subject to position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal service or military service, if requested and approved before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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