Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration•Goldsboro, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is within the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Fayetteville NC Coastal Health Care System, Sterile Processing Service (SPS). The position supports the Fayetteville and Goldsboro VA Medical Centers, working 50% of the time at the Ramsey Street location and 50% at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. The Medical Supply Technician reprocesses critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment and performs quality assurance tasks for SPS under Nursing Service. The position’s primary purpose is to help prevent infections by cleaning, processing, assembling, sterilizing, storing, and distributing medical supplies in a health care facility. The incumbent works Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. The full performance level is GS-6. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station authorization are not available.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
Six months of experience demonstrating ability to perform the work or understanding of 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.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
For the GS-6 grade determination, one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 level.
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 related to instrumentation.
Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
Complete the required application steps and online assessment.
Pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
Meet background and security investigation requirements and complete online onboarding.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
Use education credentials recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education used to qualify must be supported by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of sterile processing experience.
VHA SPS Certification.
HSPA Certification.

Responsibilities

Decontaminate and sterilize instruments, medical supplies, and equipment.
Assemble, wrap, and sterilize instrument trays.
Follow standard precautions in decontamination and sterilization work.
Monitor biological and chemical wash solutions to ensure quality and consistency in decontamination.
Sort mismatched instrument sets, trays, and medical equipment and make them available to sterile processing customers in a timely manner.
Restock, label, and maintain inventory; submit requisitions; and collect and distribute instruments, trays, crash carts, and facility medical equipment.
Perform environmental maintenance and help maintain inventory in sterile processing, operating room, and equipment storage areas.
Verify that equipment functions properly, request maintenance or replacement, and remove defective equipment from service.
Maintain a clean and orderly work and central processing area, including shelves, counters, and equipment.
Help maintain departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality improvement, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
Communicate appropriately and use good interpersonal skills.
Use a computerized instrument tracking system to obtain count sheets and special handling instructions, document sterilization loads, and perform other assigned tasks.
Operate and maintain equipment and keep records of completed loads, load contents, and maintenance procedures.
Report defective equipment to a supervisor or staff and place work orders.