Medical Supply Technician - SPS

Veterans Health Administration • Saint Louis, MO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Supply Technician (MST) works in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) at John Cochran VA Hospital, reprocessing reusable medical devices in support of clinical services across the VA Saint Louis divisions, including surgical suites and outpatient areas. The role alternates regularly between contaminated and sterile environments.

The technician provides sterilization, preparation, and decontamination support; determines appropriate sterilization methods; cleans, inspects, packages, assembles, and reassembles reusable supplies and equipment; and uses standard operating procedures and manufacturer instructions. The position also supports inventory and supply receipt, prepares operating-room case carts, operates and checks processing equipment, and helps ensure staff use appropriate personal protective equipment and follow safety requirements.

This is a full-time position with rotating shifts, including on-call work, days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Schedules may change based on the health care system's needs. Telework and virtual work are not authorized. The full performance level is GS-06, and selection may be at GS-03 through GS-06.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic experience or education requirement: six months of relevant experience; or one year of education above high school including at least six semester hours in health-care-related courses; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• For GS-04, have six months of qualifying experience or two years of education above high school including at least 12 semester hours related to the occupation, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-05, have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade or qualifying education, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-06, have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade and the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Meet grade-level knowledge and abilities, including applicable knowledge of universal precautions, cross-contamination prevention, medical terminology, surgical instruments, sterilization and cleaning equipment, sterility principles, and ability to read and interpret written procedures.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, and application documentation.
• Undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Wear required personal protective equipment in SPS and other clinical or operating-room environments where appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Provide sterilization, preparation, and decontamination support for the medical center.
• Determine appropriate sterilization methods and attach chemical indicator tape to packages.
• Remove gross contamination, pre-sterilize biological contamination, and decontaminate reusable supplies and equipment.
• Maintain SPS inventory at secondary inventory locations, receive new supplies, check deliveries for quality and quantity, and store items in accordance with the inventory system.
• Package individual items and assemble items into sets or trays.
• Disassemble supply items properly to avoid damage or unnecessary wear.
• Use standard operating procedures and manufacturer instructions when troubleshooting.
• Visually examine items for damage, deterioration, rust, pitting, cracks, or other imperfections, using judgment to minimize equipment damage.
• Operate medical equipment after reassembly to determine whether it functions correctly.
• Assemble operating-room case carts using case sheets and prepare carts using the surgery schedule.
• Determine appropriate personal protective equipment for work areas and ensure staff comply with requirements.
• Provide staff education and information to minimize or eliminate exposure to contamination, chemicals, and potentially infectious diseases.
• Disassemble reusable medical devices and determine the correct cleaning method based on manufacturer instructions.
• Inspect and assemble reusable medical devices and determine appropriate sterilization methods and packaging.
• Perform and document daily operational checks and records for sterilization equipment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• Paid time off, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays per year.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience, subject to approval.
• 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.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days for eligible full-time employees, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k), with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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