Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration • Bronx, NY

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician works in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center under the direct supervision of the Assistant Chief. The position supports the SPS management team, delegates assignments, monitors work quality and timeliness, evaluates performance, and serves as a subject matter expert in sterile processing.

The incumbent oversees quality assurance and process-improvement activities, including monitoring and documenting biological indicators, temperature and humidity, and compliance with standard operating procedures. The technician guides staff in proper procedures; reviews work in progress and spot-checks completed work; and assesses the quality and quantity of cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of reusable medical devices (RMD), supplies, and related work. The role also reports work status and performance concerns to management, covers for the QA Coordinator during absences, develops high-risk policies and protocols based on manufacturer instructions, and completes employee competencies.

The position independently plans and completes assignments with minimal guidance, applies relevant regulations and procedures to resolve most work conflicts, and provides technical supervision. Administrative responsibilities include planning and directing work, overseeing attendance and leave, approving sick and annual leave and vacation schedules, addressing informal employee complaints, and dealing with union representatives on personnel matters.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible schedules, telework, and virtual work are not available. The position is permanent and full-time. The full-performance level and advertised grade are GS-08.

Requirements

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, including distributing and prioritizing workload, balancing workflow, revising schedules as workload changes, assigning work based on experience and training needs, monitoring work status, reviewing or spot-checking work, and assessing the quality and quantity of equipment and instrument processing.
• Ability to manage, interact, and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds.
• Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed.
• Ability to oversee decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of reusable medical equipment (RME).
• Ability to perform supervisory duties, including assigning, planning, and evaluating work; recommending awards; approving leave; identifying training needs; and resolving staff issues.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except where VA policy permits appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Complete 400 hours of hands-on reprocessing experience for the VHA SPS certification exam under VA medical facility SPS leadership, or hold a nationally recognized certification; this requirement must be completed within one year of appointment.
• Meet the VA Sterile Processing Service qualification requirements; applicants may be tentatively selected while completing education or certification/licensure requirements but may not be hired until requirements are met.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination and required background/security investigation; applicants selected for testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Complete required onboarding and application documentation; comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination requirement for VA health care personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Leadership experience.
• At least three years of Sterile Processing Service experience in a charge capacity.
• Certified Registered Medical Supply Technician (CRMST) certification.
• Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification.

Responsibilities

• Support the Sterile Processing Service management team.
• Oversee quality-assurance and process-improvement activities in Sterile Processing Service.
• Monitor and document biological indicators, temperature and humidity, and adherence to standard operating procedures; report findings to SPS leadership and oversight committees.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and guide staff in proper procedures.
• Delegate and prioritize assignments; monitor timeliness and quality of work and report work status.
• Review work in progress and spot-check work to ensure it meets facility requirements, established policies, procedures, and quality standards.
• Assess the quality and quantity of cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of reusable medical devices, supplies, and related work.
• Provide management officials with information about performance issues, assignment changes, and task completion.
• Maintain familiarity with Sterile Processing Service duties, standard operating procedures, and manufacturer guidelines, and support staff in completing work.
• Cover for the QA Coordinator during absences.
• Develop high-risk policies and protocols based on manufacturer instructions and complete employee competencies.
• Plan and direct work assignments, independently setting deadlines and resolving most conflicts using judgment and interpretation of applicable regulations and procedures.
• Oversee attendance and leave, including approving sick and annual leave and vacation schedules.
• Resolve informal employee complaints and deal with union representatives on personnel matters.
• Provide the technical supervision necessary to accomplish the work of the organizational unit.
• Assign, plan, and evaluate staff work; recommend awards; identify training needs; and resolve staff issues.

Benefits

• 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.
• Eligible employees may receive 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 in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may receive a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and 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.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or special VA needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed