Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Veterans Health Administration • Cheyenne, WY

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Cheyenne VA Health Care System is recruiting a Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (MST) in its Sterile Processing Service (SPS). The position supports the Chief and Assistant Chief of SPS and serves as the first-line supervisor for MSTs supporting the Reusable Medical Device (RMD) program. The supervisor plans, organizes, directs, trains, and coordinates the comprehensive RMD program, ensuring that RMD inventory and reprocessing equipment are accurately maintained and that devices are available for patient care. The work requires in-depth knowledge of reprocessing processes, equipment, devices, methods, and standards; many duties are time-sensitive and directly affect healthcare delivery.

The incumbent supports the development and implementation of administrative policies and procedures and manages SPS as a service line using a planned, implemented, and evaluated Quality Management System. The supervisor oversees SPS functions at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center and Northern Colorado Outpatient Clinic, including decontamination, preparation, assembly, packaging, high- and low-temperature sterilization, disinfection, and endoscope reprocessing. The role also oversees the receipt, processing, transportation, storage, and use of critical and semi-critical RMD; maintains information integrity in the instrument tracking and management system; and develops quality measures, tracks trends, and reports results.

The supervisor plans and schedules priorities based on staffing, equipment, resources, RMD availability, and workload; reviews processes and resources to keep pace with requirements, improvements, and best practices; and evaluates service operations and recommends changes to improve service or economy of operation. Supervisory duties include directing staff, assigning and evaluating work, counseling employees, resolving minor complaints, addressing staff issues, and carrying out Equal Employment Opportunity policies and activities. The position is based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and the schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with on-call duties. Flexible or compressed scheduling may be available by negotiation after orientation. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For the GS-08 grade, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, interact, and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of reusable medical equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning, and evaluating work; recommending awards; approving leave; identifying training needs; and resolving staff issues.
• Candidates must meet one of the basic experience or education paths: six months of qualifying experience; one year of education above high school that included at least six semester hours in health-care-related courses; or an equivalent combination of qualifying education and experience.
• Successful candidates are subject to background/security investigation and, for testing-designated positions, pre-appointment urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Must meet Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete required application and onboarding requirements and serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Physical requirements are specified by VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a hospital sterile processing department.
• Experience as a direct supervisor.
• Nationally recognized sterile processing certification.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, train, and coordinate the comprehensive Reusable Medical Device (RMD) program.
• Plan and conduct operational analyses of service methods, procedures, workflow, and personnel utilization; recommend changes to improve Veteran services or operational economy.
• Establish and maintain an accurate RMD inventory and reprocessing equipment, and ensure RMD availability for patient care.
• Support the formulation and execution of SPS administrative policies and procedures and manage SPS using a Quality Management System program.
• Assist the Chief with daily operational decisions and oversee SPS reprocessing areas at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center and Northern Colorado Outpatient Clinic.
• Oversee decontamination, preparation, assembly, packaging, high- and low-temperature sterilization, disinfection, and endoscope reprocessing.
• Plan and schedule priorities based on staffing, RMD, equipment, resources, and workload across the healthcare system.
• Develop quality measures and track and report sterile processing trends.
• Review processes, equipment, and resources to ensure compliance with new requirements and adoption of improvements and best practices.
• Oversee receipt, processing, transportation, storage, and utilization of critical and semi-critical RMD.
• Use safety precautions and maintain data integrity in the instrument tracking and management system.
• Direct staff and manage work, including assigning, planning, and evaluating work; recommending awards; approving leave; identifying training needs; and resolving staff issues.
• Counsel, guide, and evaluate employee performance; resolve minor complaints and initiate disciplinary measures as appropriate.
• Carry out Equal Employment Opportunity policies and program activities.
• Identify problems and facilitate solutions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 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.
• Selected applicants may qualify for 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 care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility 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: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed