Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration • Charleston, SC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Charleston VA Healthcare Network is recruiting a Medical Supply Technician to sterilize and prepare supplies and provide decontamination and distribution support for reusable medical devices (RMD). The position performs the full range of decontamination duties, prepares and assembles instrumentation trays and sets, and supports distribution of critical and semi-critical RMD throughout the medical center. The technician independently operates sterile processing equipment and reprocesses GI endoscopes and related devices in accordance with manufacturer instructions, instructions for use (IFUs), standard operating procedures (SOPs), and facility policies. The role requires keeping current with written reprocessing procedures and completing required training, including TMS modules and VA SPS Level 1 certification, in a timely manner.

This is a permanent GS-06 position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; on-call duties apply. The work takes place in decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply, and other areas across the medical facility or campus. The incumbent may work in hot, cold, drafty, or poorly lighted areas and is exposed to possible falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, needle sticks, and other injuries from handling devices. The work involves standing and walking throughout the workday, frequent bending and lifting, and dexterity and visual acuity for handling instrumentation.

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.
• One year of experience equivalent to GS-05 for the GS-06 full-performance-level position.
• Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions, and procedures.
• Knowledge of sterility principles as they relate to instrumentation.
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• Complete required background/security investigation and onboarding requirements; applicants selected tentatively are subject to pre-appointment drug testing.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet the stated trial-period condition for federal employment.
• Physical ability to stand and walk throughout the workday, frequently bend and lift sterile products and packages (occasionally weighing up to 50 pounds), and manipulate, disassemble, and assemble instruments with dexterity and visual acuity.
• Acceptable identification is required for pre-employment requirements; from May 7, 2025, identification must be REAL ID compliant where applicable.

Nice To Haves

• Sterile Processing certification.
• Quality assurance experience with equipment.

Responsibilities

• Perform decontamination of reusable medical devices using appropriate cleaning methods and infection control principles.
• Independently prepare and assemble instrumentation trays and sets from various clinics, ensuring correct instrument selection, function, and configuration.
• Provide distribution support for critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices, including timely issuing, tracking, and restocking.
• Independently operate sterile processing equipment, including washers, ultrasonic cleaners, Trophons, TD 100, steam sterilizers, and Sterrad sterilizers, in accordance with IFUs and SOPs.
• Decontaminate, high-level disinfect or sterilize, and properly store RMD used in GI, including endoscopes and related devices.
• Perform GI endoscope and related-device decontamination, high-level disinfection, and documentation using Medivators and drying cabinets, following manufacturer instructions and facility policies.
• Maintain knowledge of appropriate RMD reprocessing steps and keep current with SOPs for cleaning, disinfection, preparation, and sterilization.
• Follow and correctly execute written reprocessing procedures.
• Complete and maintain required training coursework, including TMS modules and VA SPS Level 1 certification, in a timely manner.
• Perform on-call duties as applicable.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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