Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration • Indianapolis, IN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Supply Technician (MST) works in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) for the Veterans Health Administration, VISN 10, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Under the Chief Sterile Processing and the Associate Director of Patient Care Services, SPS supports the medical center and eleven Community Based Outpatient Clinics throughout Indiana. The technician reprocesses reusable medical devices, including medical and surgical instruments, by performing cleaning, decontamination, disinfection, preparation, and sterilization procedures. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, from 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The full-performance level is GS-06.

Requirements

• Six months of experience demonstrating the ability to perform the work or an understanding of the work; or one year of post-high-school education including at least six semester hours in health-care-related courses; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• For GS-06 placement, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• 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.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Compliance with applicable pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Ability to meet the position's physical requirements, including prolonged standing, frequent bending, stretching and reaching, walking, pushing loaded carts, and lifting items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Continuously train in support of reprocessing all types of reusable medical devices for clinics, wards, dental services, and other medical center services.
• Determine and apply appropriate techniques to decontaminate and disinfect medical devices and equipment to destroy microorganisms and protect patients and staff.
• Learn and maintain current knowledge of standard operating procedures for cleaning, disinfection, preparation, and sterilization of reusable medical devices.
• Disassemble reusable medical devices and determine the proper cleaning method in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
• Follow written procedures for processing reusable medical devices.
• Remove soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing.
• Inspect packages for indications of proper sterilization.
• Assemble sets and trays used throughout the medical center, including operating-room sets and trays.
• Prepare, load, and operate sterilizers and scope reprocessors.
• Prepare operating-room case carts daily using the surgery schedule.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• 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 with total family income below $144,000 may qualify after 60 days for a childcare subsidy of up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, subject to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• 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 can be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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