Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Department of Veterans Affairs • Atlanta, GA

50d • Onsite

About The Position

The Atlanta VA Health Care System is recruiting for Medical Supply Technicians (Sterile Processing) for the Sterile Processing Section of Nursing Service.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Medical Supply Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) receive contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME) in the decontamination area, and may receive noncritical equipment. Disassembles RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as, but not limited to, ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washer-disinfectors, cart washer and chemical cleaning decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization, such as, but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, and high-level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all processes and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Understands and follows principles and procedures for processing of used/contaminated endoscopes, instrumentation, and reusable supplies and equipment. Total compliance with the SPS VHA Directive 1116 and Infection Control Policies and SPS Standard Operating Procedures is expected. Adheres to SPS VHA Directive 1116 regarding personal protective equipment to be worn when performing cleaning/decontamination duties.
• Assembles highly complex instruments sets including, but not limited to, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room.
• Incumbent disassembles, decontaminates, performs all phases of sterilization and reassembles items as required, to include intricate surgical trays and microsurgery instruments.
• Checks for damaged or missing items and arranges for replacement, maintenance, or repair as needed.
• Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Ensures that bio-burden testing is conducted on all endoscopes, both rigid and flexible after manual cleaning is completed.
• Performs daily spore testing and sterilizer control measures as it relates to quality assurance principles of sterilization and elimination of cross contamination and determines whether items are free of microorganisms. Monitors and interprets biological challenges processed for each sterilization cycle.
• Performs routine operator maintenance and cleaning of sterilization equipment in accordance with the SPS VHA Directive 1116 and Standard Operating Procedures. Keeps a daily record of line items processed and sterilized.
• Receives all instruments, procedure trays, surgical trays from the decontamination area through the washer disinfector. Inspects, assembles, packages, initials, labels instruments, surgical trays, procedure trays and other patient care equipment utilized throughout the Medical Center in accordance with the SPS VHA Directive 1116, and manufacturers' Instructions for use and written instructions.
• Maintains good working communications with the OR Staff, Ambulatory Care, Dental, Podiatry, and other Clinical Staff in order to respond regularly and promptly to their needs for trays, packages and instruments required for scheduled and emergency treatment of patients.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Administration of Human Resource Programs
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees