Medical Supply Technologist (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration • Johnson City, TN

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Supply Technician (MST) works in Sterile Processing Service (SPS), supporting the decontamination, high-level disinfection, sterilization, and storage of reusable medical devices (RMD) and single-use medical devices at James H. Quillen Medical Center. The work includes reprocessing critical and semi-critical instruments and equipment according to quality-management requirements, local standard operating procedures, and manufacturers’ written instructions.

The position performs work throughout areas such as intake, decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply, and other services across the medical facility. Work may take place in hot, cold, drafty, or poorly lit areas and may involve exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and risks from material-handling equipment. Employees stand and walk throughout the workday, bend frequently, and occasionally lift packages weighing up to 50 pounds.

The position is full-time, with a Monday–Friday schedule of either 3:30 p.m.–12:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Telework is unavailable. The vacancy’s full-performance level is GS-6, and selection may be at GS-3 through GS-6. Applicants must meet the applicable experience or education requirements for the grade, as well as the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities. Federal employment conditions include U.S. citizenship, English proficiency, background/security screening, and required seasonal influenza vaccination. A one- or two-year trial period is required.

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.
• Basic requirement: six months of relevant experience; or one year of education above high school including at least six semester hours of health-care-related courses; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• For GS-4, in addition to basic requirements: six months of relevant MST, operating-room or surgical-technician experience demonstrating sterile-processing knowledge, or two years of post-high-school education including at least 12 semester hours related to the occupation; required KSAs include universal precautions, basic medical terminology, basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment, and oral and written communication.
• For GS-5, in addition to basic requirements: one year of experience equivalent to GS-4, or four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with at least 12 related semester hours or a bachelor’s degree; required KSAs include basic knowledge of surgical instruments, event-related packaging, and sterilization and cleaning equipment.
• For GS-6, in addition to basic requirements: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5; required KSAs include knowledge of surgical instruments, universal precautions, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures, sterility principles, and the ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
• Meet the grade-specific experience or education requirements and demonstrate the applicable knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Complete required background/security investigation and online onboarding; provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Physical ability to stand and walk during the workday, bend frequently, and occasionally lift packages weighing up to 50 pounds.
• For applicants using foreign education to qualify, provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript; education must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Nice To Haves

• Relevant prior work experience or military service may be considered for credit toward annual-leave accrual, subject to approval before appointment.

Responsibilities

• Collect, receive, inspect, decontaminate, high-level disinfect, and terminally sterilize soiled supplies, instruments, equipment, and apparatus, including complex diagnostic equipment.
• Disassemble and position reusable medical devices to support removal of bioburden, cleaning, and disinfection before sterilization.
• Perform endoscope leak tests before cleaning and high-level disinfection or terminal sterilization.
• Reprocess reusable medical devices safely in accordance with Quality Management Program requirements and local standard operating procedures.
• Operate decontamination equipment, including washer decontaminators, sonic washers, irrigators, automatic cart washers, and tube dryers.
• Inspect, assemble, package, high-level disinfect, and sterilize instruments, instrument sets, and packs for use throughout the medical center.
• Follow manufacturers’ written instructions and department procedures for packaging and sterilizing reusable medical devices.
• Operate sterilization equipment and related devices, including steam sterilizers, Sterrad and Sterrad NX systems, heat sealers, and incubators.
• Interpret mechanical printouts and biological indicators to confirm sterilization parameters are acceptable.
• Perform quality assurance activities, including monitoring biological and chemical indicators and integrators, Bowie-Dick tests, and time and temperature logs.
• Document appropriate reusable medical device checks after sterilization or reprocessing and verify labeling, contents, cleanliness, working order, and sterilization parameters.
• Evaluate quality-assurance data and recommend improvements to processes or effectiveness.
• Consult SPS supervisors and the SPS RMD Coordinator when written instructions need clarification; do not base reprocessing on vendors’ verbal instructions.
• Depending on grade and assignment, remove soil and contaminants from reusable equipment, assemble basic sets and trays, prepare operating-room case carts, and load and operate sterilizers and high-level-disinfection scope reprocessors.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 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.
• Eligible employees may receive up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income, child-eligibility, and subsidy limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and 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.

What This Job Offers

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