Supervisory Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration • Tucson, AZ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (MST), serving as the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Shift Supervisor, is a first-level supervisor responsible for planning, directing, assessing, and overseeing the work of a group of MSTs. The supervisor provides technical guidance and workload assistance, is competent to perform sterile-processing tasks, and assesses the quality and technical soundness of work for compliance with departmental standard operating procedures and facility and agency policies. Work quality is assessed through observation, employee discussions, and feedback from users of reprocessed reusable medical equipment (RME).

The position oversees decontamination, preparation, high-level disinfection, and sterilization of critical and semi-critical RME; assembly of surgical case carts for the Operating Room; retrieval and delivery of RME; and maintenance of the work environment in accordance with applicable Veterans Health Administration directives and memoranda. The incumbent must maintain knowledge of departmental procedures and competency in reprocessing activities. SPS Level 1 training must be completed within 90 days of hire, with continuing education required to maintain Level 1 certification. SPS Level II certification and professional sterile-processing certification are preferred.

The supervisor manages attendance and leave, ensures employees are in assigned work areas and observe allotted break and meal periods, and may approve sick and annual leave during the shift. The role collaborates with service chiefs on upcoming leave and vacation schedules and informs higher management about anticipated vacancies or workload increases. The supervisor may recommend personnel actions, provide corrective guidance, conduct interviews concerning workplace irregularities, resolve informal employee complaints, and deal with union representatives on personnel matters. Disciplinary problems and formal complaints are referred or reported to higher management as appropriate.

The position is directly supervised by the Chief and Assistant Chief of Sterile Processing Service, who assign work and provide objectives, priorities, deadlines, and guidance. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

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.
• 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 qualifying education and experience.
• For the GS-08 grade determination, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07).
• 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.
• Ability to perform supervisory duties, including assigning, planning, and evaluating work; recommending awards; approving leave; identifying training needs; and resolving staff issues.
• Complete SPS Level 1 training within 90 days of hire and participate in continuing education to maintain SPS Level 1 certification.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Subject to background/security investigation and, if selected for a testing-designated position, pre-appointment urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment upon its completion.
• Meet applicable application, onboarding, and identification-document requirements.

Nice To Haves

• SPS Level II certification.
• Certification in sterile processing from a professional organization.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, assess, and oversee the work of a group of Medical Supply Technicians.
• Oversee decontamination, preparation, high-level disinfection, sterilization, and storage-related reprocessing activities for reusable medical equipment.
• Oversee assembly of Operating Room surgical case carts and retrieval and delivery of reusable medical equipment.
• Maintain competency in reprocessing activities and assess work quality and compliance with departmental procedures and applicable policies.
• Provide technical supervision, guidance, and workload assistance to employees, including guidance on routine operations and unusual problems.
• Review work for technical soundness and conformance with departmental standard operating procedures and facility and agency policies.
• Manage attendance and leave, ensure employees are present in assigned work areas, and monitor break and meal periods.
• Approve eligible sick and annual leave during the shift and collaborate with service chiefs on upcoming leave requests and vacation schedules.
• Inform higher-level management of anticipated vacancies and increases in workload.
• Recommend promotions, reassignments, recognition, retention or release of probationary employees, and other personnel changes.
• Provide corrective guidance and conduct employee interviews concerning workplace irregularities; refer disciplinary problems to higher management.
• Resolve informal employee complaints, work with union representatives on personnel matters, and promptly report formal complaints.
• Maintain knowledge of departmental standard operating procedures governing RME processing and the work environment.
• Complete SPS Level 1 training within 90 days of hire and participate in continuing education to maintain Level 1 certification.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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