Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing) RME Coordinator

Veterans Health Administration • Portland, OR

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) RME Coordinator supports the Sterile Processing Service management team, Minor Procedures Unit, clinics, Community Based Outpatient Clinics, and Operating Room. The role coordinates reusable medical device (RMD) instrumentation and supplies, including surgical trays and sets, and helps ensure that equipment is available, properly tracked, and processed according to applicable procedures and standards.

The RME Coordinator provides oversight in the development, implementation, coordination, maintenance, and evaluation of critical and semi-critical medical devices within the RME Program. The position reviews acquisition of new equipment, advises services about anticipated delivery dates, and controls release of new equipment until required standard operating procedures (SOPs) are developed and communicated. The coordinator works across services and disciplines, monitors and consults on infection control issues involving RME, participates in clinical rounds to verify service SOPs, and investigates manufacturer- or model-specific SOP needs. The role obtains required information from manufacturers or vendors, develops SOPs to standardize equipment, and educates hospital staff, including executive-level staff, on new equipment and compliance.

The position is based at the VA Portland Health Care System, which serves patients across facilities in Portland, Oregon; Vancouver, Washington; and Community Based Outpatient Clinics. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PST. Compressed or flexible scheduling may be authorized; telework and virtual work are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy for non-citizens.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least six months of experience demonstrating the ability to perform the work or understand the work; or one year of education above high school including at least six semester hours in health care-related courses; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• For the GS-07 grade: one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Ability to interact with individuals of varying backgrounds to assess departmental needs.
• Ability to coordinate work to complete duties accurately and on time.
• Ability to interpret and apply sterile processing and infection prevention regulations and policies.
• Ability to evaluate new products and equipment.
• Ability to initiate and lead interdisciplinary groups carrying out sterile processing functions.
• Meet the stated background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and other pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period if appointed, subject to the stated conditions.
• Meet the position's physical requirements, including moderate lifting and carrying of 15–44 pounds; pushing; reaching above shoulders; use of fingers and both hands; walking and standing; repeated bending; use of both legs; and distinguishing basic colors and shades.

Nice To Haves

• IAHCSMM or CBSPD certification.

Responsibilities

• Conduct physical inventory and analyze requirements to maintain adequate instrumentation.
• Resolve discrepancies involving missing, lost, or broken instruments.
• Coordinate special requests for Operating Room instrumentation and devices.
• Assist with assembling complicated Operating Room trays, maintaining adequate inventory, and maintaining count sheets.
• Collaborate with clinics and other leadership to ensure required instrumentation is available.
• Conduct frequent surveys of ambulatory care clinics and other procedural areas to ensure training, environment of care, and practices align with VHA and medical center standards.
• Participate in and provide in-services to Sterile Processing Service staff on instrumentation and devices as needed.
• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and revising standard operating procedures as directed.
• Complete requests for devices as needed.
• Document and log information and use the Censitrac tracking system.
• Maintain knowledge of reusable medical device processes and current SOPs for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation appropriate to the position.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of reusable medical devices appropriate to the position.
• Provide oversight in the development, implementation, coordination, maintenance, and evaluation of critical and semi-critical medical devices within the RME Program.
• Review acquisition of new equipment and advise using services of anticipated delivery dates.
• Control release of new equipment until SOPs have been developed and communicated to staff.
• Monitor, analyze, and provide consultation on infection control issues regarding reusable medical equipment.
• Participate in clinical rounds to help verify each service's SOPs for reusable medical equipment.
• Investigate the need for manufacturer- and model-specific SOPs for new equipment and obtain required information from manufacturers or vendors.
• Develop SOPs to standardize equipment used in the medical center.
• Educate hospital staff, including executive-level staff, about new equipment to support compliance.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits eligibility depends on position type and other factors, and applicants are directed to contact the hiring agency for details.

What This Job Offers

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