Medical Supply Technologist (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration•Johnson City, TN

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Supply Technician (MST) is assigned to Sterile Processing Service (SPS) and supports procedures for decontamination, high-level disinfection, sterilization, and storage of critical and semi-critical reusable medical devices and single-use medical devices at James H. Quillen Medical Center. The role reprocesses reusable medical devices according to the Quality Management Program, local standard operating procedures, and manufacturers’ written instructions. The position performs decontamination and processing, preparation and sterilization, and quality assurance activities. It operates specialized cleaning and sterilization equipment, validates sterilization results, documents required checks, and consults SPS supervisors or the RMD Coordinator when written instructions need clarification. The vacancy’s full performance level is GS-6; selection may be at GS-3 through GS-6. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with one of the listed schedules: 3:30 p.m.–12:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Telework is not authorized, and the position is not virtual. Work may take place in intake, decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply, outtake, and other medical facility areas. The employee may encounter hot, cold, drafty, or poorly lit areas and exposure to chemicals and material-handling hazards. The job requires standing and walking throughout the workday, frequent bending, and occasional lifting of packages weighing up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Meet the basic experience or education requirement: six months of relevant experience; 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-4, in addition to basic requirements, meet either six months of relevant sterile-processing experience or two years of post-high-school education including at least 12 semester hours related to the occupation; demonstrate knowledge of universal precautions, basic medical terminology, and cleaning and sterilization equipment, and oral and written communication ability.
For GS-5, in addition to basic requirements, meet either one year of experience equivalent to GS-4 or the specified 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; demonstrate basic knowledge of surgical instruments, event-related packaging, and sterilization and cleaning equipment.
For GS-6, in addition to basic requirements, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 and demonstrate 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.
Complete any applicable pre-employment urinalysis, background/security investigation, online onboarding, identification verification, and application documentation requirements.
Register for Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a VA health care personnel employee.
Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the agency’s evaluation and written certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

Collect, receive, inspect, decontaminate, high-level disinfect, and terminally sterilize soiled supplies, instruments, equipment, and apparatus, including complex diagnostic equipment.
Disassemble and position all reusable medical device parts to support removal of bioburden and effective cleaning and disinfection before sterilization.
Perform leak tests on endoscopes before cleaning and high-level disinfection or terminal sterilization.
Reprocess reusable medical devices safely in accordance with Quality Management Program requirements.
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’ instructions and department SOPs for packaging and sterilizing reusable medical devices.
Operate sterilization equipment and related devices, including steam sterilizers, Sterrad and Sterrad NX units, heat sealers, and incubators.
Interpret mechanical printouts and biological indicators to validate that sterilization parameters are acceptable.
Conduct quality assurance activities, including monitoring biological and chemical indicators and integrators, Bowie-Dick tests, and time and temperature logs.
Document appropriate reusable-device checks after sterilization or reprocessing and verify labeling, contents, cleanliness, working order, and sterilization parameters.
Evaluate quality assurance data and recommend process improvements based on findings.
Consult SPS supervisors and the SPS RMD Coordinator when written reprocessing instructions require clarification; do not base reprocessing on vendors’ verbal instructions.