Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration • Bay Pines, FL

14h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in Bay Pines, Florida. The Medical Supply Technician supports the SPS management team and performs sterile processing tasks involving reusable medical equipment (RME), surgical instruments, and operating room supplies. The position is at the full-performance GS-6 level.

The work is performed in decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply, and other areas throughout the medical facility. The employee alternates between contaminated and controlled clean environments, wears protective clothing and personal protective equipment, and handles instruments, carts, and sterilization equipment. The role includes exposure to heat, noise, unpleasant odors, body fluids, sterilizing gases, and potential handling-related injuries.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 11:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for highly qualified, eligible candidates.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Six months of experience demonstrating the ability to perform the work or an understanding of it; or one year of education above high school that includes at least six semester hours in health-care-related courses; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05).
• 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.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including a background/security investigation and physical evaluation; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the conditions described in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• Six months of experience demonstrating the ability to perform the work or an understanding of it.
• Knowledge of all areas of Sterile Processing, including decontamination, preparation and assembly, sterilization, endoscope reprocessing, sterile storage, and distribution.
• Knowledge of sterility principles for decontamination and high-level disinfection.

Responsibilities

• Receive contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment in the decontamination area, and potentially receive noncritical equipment there as well.
• Disassemble complex RME and determine the appropriate cleaning method based on manufacturer instructions, using equipment such as ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, and cart washers, as well as chemical cleaning and decontamination agents.
• Remove soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing.
• Assemble instruments, including complex sets, and other surgical items by selecting the appropriate items, trays, and instruments and arranging them correctly for sterilization.
• Inspect and assemble items and determine the appropriate sterilization method and packaging, including steam, hydrogen peroxide, ETO, and high-level disinfecting scope reprocessors.
• Label sterilized items according to AAMI and VHA Directive 1116(2) standards.
• Perform and document daily operational checks and records for sterilization equipment.
• Build complete Operating Room case carts, including RME, implants, and disposable supplies.
• Identify suitable replacements when requested items are unavailable.
• Use advanced functions of the instrument tracking system.
• Provide guidance and training to less experienced staff members.

Benefits

• Annual paid time off of 37–50 days, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays per year.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income, eligible-child, cost, and monthly-maximum conditions.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized for highly qualified and eligible new federal appointees or former federal employees with at least a 90-day break in service.

What This Job Offers

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