Medical Supply Technician

Indian Health Service • Gallup, NM

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Central Sterile Reprocessing Department of the Gallup Indian Medical Center. It provides reprocessing of medical-surgical instruments, trays, and other supplies 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 cleaning and testing washers and sterilizers, preparing and sterilizing a range of medical supplies and equipment, and disassembling and cleaning equipment using approved products.

A REAL ID-compliant document is required when applicable beginning May 7, 2025. The position requires a federal background investigation and review of financial history, as well as compliance with applicable identification, immunization, and child-safety requirements. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized, and a service agreement of at least six months is required.

Requirements

• For GS-4 and above, specialized experience processing, assembling, troubleshooting, preparing, sterilizing, storing, and issuing sterile and unsterile medical supplies and equipment.
• Knowledge of medical supply items’ technical names, general uses, physical characteristics, and operating conditions.
• Knowledge of decontamination, cleaning, preparation, sterilization, and storage procedures, as well as aseptic techniques.
• Skill in operating washer-sterilizers, ultrasonic instrument cleaners, and gas and steam sterilizers.
• For GS-05, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade level performing the stated medical-supply processing work; alternatively, a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with related coursework, or a qualifying combination of post-high-school education and specialized experience.
• Federal competitive-service merit-promotion candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements; time-in-grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan.
• Must 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.
• Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification and a federal background investigation; required background forms must be completed within five calendar days of issuance.
• Must undergo a financial-history review and satisfy legal financial obligations to be found suitable.
• Must present two valid forms of identification before appointment; applicable state-issued ID or driver's license must be REAL ID-compliant.
• Must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy if duties require work in an IHS healthcare facility.
• This designated position requires child-safety screening under Public Law 101-630.

Responsibilities

• Rotate among central sterile reprocessing assignments, including decontamination, instrument and tray preparation, equipment maintenance, removing damaged or unusable instruments, and issuing clean equipment and sterile trays.
• Wash washers and sterilizers in accordance with 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 in accordance with manufacturer instructions and standards.
• Sterilize instruments, equipment, utensils, linen, and supplies using autoclaves and aerators.
• Disassemble and clean equipment, including suction machines, healing/coping machines, and infusion pumps, using approved disinfectants, detergents, and cleaners.

Benefits

• Federal annual leave accrual based on years of federal service, at a rate of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period.
• IHS may credit directly related prior 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