Medical Supply Technician

Indian Health Service • Gallup, NM

7d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Central Sterile Reprocessing Department of the Gallup Indian Medical Center. The Medical Supply Technician reprocesses medical-surgical instruments, trays, and other reusable supplies and equipment through decontamination and sterilization for inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and surgical suites. The technician rotates among department assignments, including decontamination, instrument and tray preparation, equipment maintenance, removal of damaged or unusable instruments, and issuing clean equipment and sterile trays. The role also involves testing sterilization equipment, cleaning and sterilizing a range of medical equipment, and following applicable policies and procedures.

The position requires successful completion of a federal background investigation and review of financial history. Selectees must provide two valid forms of identification before appointment; any state-issued identification or driver's license must be REAL ID-compliant. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021). The position is designated under Public Law 101-630 and requires screening related to certain criminal offenses because the role may involve contact with or control over Indian children. Selectees working in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy, subject to any available exemption process.

The position is covered by a bargaining unit and has promotion potential to GS-5; promotion is not guaranteed and is at management's discretion. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized, and a service agreement of at least six months will be required. Federal employees earn annual leave based on years of federal service; IHS may credit eligible prior related non-federal experience or active-duty military service toward annual leave accrual.

Requirements

• Meet the specialized-experience or education-and-training basic requirements for the applicable grade. Specialized experience includes processing, assembling, troubleshooting, preparing, sterilizing, storing, and issuing sterile and unsterile medical supplies and equipment, with knowledge of medical supply items, decontamination and sterilization procedures, aseptic techniques, and operation of washer-sterilizers, ultrasonic instrument cleaners, and gas and steam sterilizers.
• For GS-4, demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade performing tasks such as decontamination, preparation, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution of patient-care supplies; recordkeeping or inventory; and following central supply processing, infection control, sterilization, and equipment-testing policies. A qualifying combination of post-high-school education and specialized experience may also be used.
• For GS-4, qualifying education substitution includes successful completion of two years of study with at least 12 semester hours in relevant courses, or qualifying training of at least 20 classroom hours per week that may substitute for specialized experience on a week-for-week basis.
• Federal competitive-service Merit Promotion candidates must meet Time-in-Grade requirements, including one year at the next lower grade; Time-in-Grade does not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan.
• Meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Set up direct deposit for pay.
• Successfully complete a federal background investigation and submit required investigation forms within five calendar days of issuance of instructions.
• Meet the financial suitability requirement, including demonstrating financial responsibility and satisfying legal financial obligations.
• Present two valid forms of identification before appointment; any state-issued ID or driver's license must be REAL ID-compliant.
• Comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy when duties require working in an IHS healthcare facility, subject to any available exemption process.
• If using education to qualify, provide transcripts or a course list; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.
• Provide required qualification information in the resume, including duties, responsibilities, and total hours worked per week.

Responsibilities

• Rotate among assignments within the central sterile reprocessing department, including decontamination, instrument and tray preparation, equipment maintenance, removing damaged or unusable instruments, and issuing clean equipment and sterile trays.
• Wash washers and sterilizers according to policy.
• Decontaminate reusable medical supplies and equipment used in hospital units and clinics.
• Prepare trays and sets used in facility units and clinics.
• Determine whether instruments function properly.
• Periodically test equipment operation for sterilization effectiveness according to manufacturers' guidance and applicable standards.
• Sterilize instruments, equipment, utensils, linen, and supplies using various types of autoclaves and aerators.
• Disassemble and clean equipment such as suction machines, healing/coping machines, and infusion pumps using approved disinfectants, detergents, and cleaners.

Benefits

• Federal annual leave accrual of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period, based on years of federal service.
• IHS may credit directly related previous non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

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