Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration • West Haven, CT

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) is a first-level supervisor in the Sterile Processing Service at the West Haven Connecticut VA Medical Center. This full-time position is scheduled for 40 hours per week, Sunday through Friday, 11:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. The incumbent plans, directs, and oversees assigned Medical Supply Technician staff and the day-to-day operations of Sterile Processing Service, ensuring efficient workflow and compliance with policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

The supervisor coordinates with clinical customers to support timely availability of reusable medical devices (RMD) and instrumentation for patient care. The role oversees the Electronic Instrument Tracking System (EITS), including administration, data integrity, instrument traceability, reporting, and compliance monitoring. The incumbent maintains tracking records for instrument sets, trays, equipment, and related assets; analyzes tracking reports for operational performance and quality improvement; and ensures appropriate instrument identification, marking, and tracking practices.

The position also monitors system performance, identifies process improvement opportunities, coordinates troubleshooting with vendors and SPS leadership, and assists with staff training, competency assessments, and ongoing education. Supervisory duties include managing attendance and leave, approving schedules, identifying staffing and training needs, recommending personnel actions, resolving employee concerns, and coordinating with union representatives on personnel matters. Other duties may be assigned, including alternate tours, shifts, weekends, and holidays as required to support SPS operations.

The work takes place in decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply, and other areas across the medical facility. Conditions may include hot, cold, drafty, poorly lit, and noisy areas; exposure to contaminated instruments and bodily fluids; use of personal protective equipment; and risks such as burns, cuts, scrapes, bruises, and falls. The job requires standing and walking throughout the workday, frequent bending and lifting packages occasionally weighing up to 50 pounds, and dexterity and visual acuity for handling instrumentation.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Six months of experience demonstrating the ability to perform the work or understand it; OR one year of education above high school including at least six semester hours in health-care-related courses; OR an equivalent combination of experience and education for entry-level qualification.
• For GS-08: one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07).
• Experience assembling highly complex instrument sets, including open-heart, major orthopedic total-joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy, and complex endoscopic instrumentation.
• Experience processing complex endoscopic instrumentation used in gastroenterology, bronchoscopy, urology, and operating-room settings.
• Ability to review manufacturer guidelines and follow correct methods and parameters for cleaning, decontaminating, and sterilizing reusable medical equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot and analyze mechanical failures, adjust complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, and interpret equipment alarm conditions.
• Ability to inform management and healthcare staff of changes to standard operating procedures or instructions for use and ensure changes are validated against applicable guidelines.
• Ability to manage, interact with, and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds.
• Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to completion.
• Ability to oversee all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of reusable medical equipment.
• Ability to perform supervisory duties, including assigning, planning, and evaluating work; recommending awards; approving leave; identifying training needs; and resolving staff issues.
• Must pass the required pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a VA health-care personnel requirement.
• Must complete required background/security investigation and onboarding, and serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Physical ability to stand and walk throughout the workday, frequently bend and lift packages occasionally weighing up to 50 pounds, and manipulate instrumentation with dexterity and visual acuity.
• Ability to work in contaminated and controlled clean environments and wear required special clothing and personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

• Recent supervisory experience.
• Three to five years of sterile processing service experience.
• Advanced knowledge of specialty instrumentation.
• Professional sterile processing certification.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and oversee the work of assigned Medical Supply Technician staff.
• Supervise day-to-day Sterile Processing Service operations and ensure efficient workflow and compliance with applicable policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate with clinical customers to support timely availability of reusable medical devices and instrumentation for patient care.
• Oversee the Electronic Instrument Tracking System, including system administration, data integrity, traceability, reporting, and compliance monitoring.
• Generate, review, and analyze tracking data and reports to support operational performance, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure proper instrument identification, marking, and tracking throughout SPS operations.
• Maintain and update EITS records for instrument sets, trays, equipment, and related assets using standardized naming conventions.
• Monitor system performance, identify process improvement opportunities, and coordinate troubleshooting with vendors and SPS leadership.
• Assist with developing and implementing training, competency assessments, and ongoing staff education related to tracking systems and SPS processes.
• Manage employee attendance and leave, approve work schedules, and identify staffing needs.
• Recommend personnel actions, resolve employee concerns, and coordinate with union representatives on personnel matters.
• Identify employee training and development needs and provide technical supervision to support staff and organizational goals.
• Provide recommendations to SPS leadership regarding operational issues, workforce management, and corrective actions.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including work on alternate tours, shifts, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Oversee and supervise decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of reusable medical equipment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Potential 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.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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