Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration • Pittsburgh, PA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) is assigned to the Sterile Processing Service at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The position is responsible for receiving contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices (RMDs) and decontaminating and sterilizing them. The work requires basic knowledge of sterile techniques within the Sterile Processing Service department. The vacancy may be filled at GS-3 through GS-6; GS-6 is the full-performance level.

At GS-3, the technician performs segments of decontamination, sterilization, and inspection work on RMDs, prepares operating-room case carts, and assists with quality assurance, clinic and loaner inventory, and Censitrac. At GS-4, duties also include assembling basic sets and trays and operating sterilization equipment. At GS-5, duties include removing soil and other contaminants; inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization; assembling basic sets and trays; preparing, loading, and operating steam and Sterrad sterilizers and high-level-disinfection scope reprocessors; and preparing daily operating-room case carts using the surgery schedule. At GS-6, the technician receives contaminated RMDs, disassembles them, determines appropriate cleaning methods according to manufacturer instructions, inspects and assembles devices, selects appropriate sterilization methods and packaging, and performs and documents daily operational checks and records for processes and equipment.

The position works in decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply, and other services and departments throughout the medical facility or campus. Work may take place in hot, cold, drafty, or poorly lighted areas. It requires standing and walking throughout the workday, frequent bending and lifting packages (occasionally weighing up to 50 pounds), and dexterity and visual acuity to manipulate, disassemble, and assemble instruments. The posted work schedule lists Monday through Friday and evening or overnight hours, but includes question marks and does not clearly identify which schedule applies. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual.

Requirements

• Meet one of the basic qualification pathways: six months of relevant experience; one year of education beyond high school including at least six semester hours in health-care-related courses; or an equivalent combination of qualifying experience and education.
• Demonstrate knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
• Demonstrate knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross-contamination.
• Have working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions, and procedures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of sterility principles as they relate to instrumentation.
• Be able to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
• For GS-4, have six months of experience as a medical supply technician, operating-room or surgical technician, or another position demonstrating sterile-processing knowledge in a clinical setting; or two years of post-high-school education including at least 12 semester hours related to the occupation.
• For GS-5, have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade; or four academic years of post-high-school education leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 12 related semester hours, or a bachelor's degree.
• For GS-6, have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment requirements; pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination; and undergo required drug testing if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position.
• Participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements if applicable.
• Meet the physical demands of standing and walking throughout the workday, frequent bending and lifting packages occasionally weighing up to 50 pounds, and using dexterity and visual acuity to handle instruments.
• Complete all application requirements described in the announcement's Required Documents section.

Responsibilities

• Receive contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices and, as applicable, noncritical equipment.
• Decontaminate reusable medical devices by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing away soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants.
• Disassemble reusable medical devices and determine the appropriate cleaning method in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
• Inspect, assemble, and package reusable medical devices and determine the appropriate sterilization method.
• Prepare, load, and operate sterilizers and high-level-disinfection equipment, including steam, Sterrad, Steris, ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers/disinfectors, cart washers, and scope reprocessors as applicable to grade and assignment.
• Inspect packages for indications of proper sterilization.
• Assemble basic sets and trays for use throughout the medical center, including in the operating room.
• Prepare operating-room case carts, using the surgery schedule where applicable.
• Perform and document daily operational checks and records for processes and equipment.
• Assist with quality assurance, clinic and loaner inventory, and Censitrac.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases; a higher step within the grade may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual-leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment for the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child-care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility criteria.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and a federal 401(k) with VA contributions up to 5%.
• 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: No Education Listed