Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration•San Juan, PR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System. The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) applies knowledge of reusable medical device (RMD) processing and follows Standard Operating Procedures for cleaning, disinfection, preparation, and sterilization. The role provides cleaning, decontamination, preparation, packaging, sterilization or high-level disinfection, and distribution of RMD throughout the medical center. Work includes removing contaminants, assembling instrument sets and trays, inspecting packages, operating reprocessing equipment, performing high-level disinfection, and documenting testing and processing in legal logs and electronic instrument tracking software. More complex tasks may require guidance from experienced staff, and new assignments require direct supervision. Advanced duties include preparing case carts based on the daily surgery schedule. The schedule includes rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and coverage of outpatient clinics. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The full-performance level is GS-06; the vacancy may be filled at GS-03 through GS-06. For Puerto Rico locations, applicants must be proficient in basic written and spoken Spanish in addition to English and must possess a valid state driver's license.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
For Puerto Rico locations, proficiency in basic written and spoken Spanish.
For Puerto Rico locations, a valid state driver's license.
Meet the applicable experience or education requirements for the selected grade: basic qualification may be met through six months of relevant experience, one year of specified high-school coursework, or an equivalent combination; higher grades have additional experience or education requirements.
Demonstrate grade-appropriate knowledge and abilities, including universal precautions and cross-contamination prevention, medical terminology, surgical instruments, sterilization and cleaning equipment, packaging and sterility principles, and the ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
Pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis drug screening.
Complete required background/security investigation, online onboarding, and application documentation.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Serve a one- or two-year trial period if appointed.

Nice To Haves

Completion of TMS SPS Level 1 training.
Experience managing endoscope reprocessing.
Experience identifying, managing, cleaning, or high-level disinfecting surgical instruments.
Knowledge and experience identifying and managing orthopedic instrumentation.
Professional agency certification in sterile processing.

Responsibilities

Clean, decontaminate, prepare, package, sterilize or high-level disinfect, and distribute reusable medical devices throughout the medical center.
Remove soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing.
Assemble instrument sets, trays, and peel packs, including those used in the operating room.
Inspect packages for proper sterilization and packaging and for signs of unsterile product.
Prepare case carts based on the daily surgery schedule.
Operate reprocessing equipment, including steam and low-temperature hydrogen peroxide sterilizers.
Perform high-level disinfection through manual cleaning and automated endoscope reprocessors.
Document testing procedures and maintain legal data logs.
Follow applicable Standard Operating Procedures for reusable medical device processing.
Use the department’s electronic instrument tracking software to document reusable medical device reprocessing.