Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

The Albany VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for a Medical Supply Technician for the Sterile Processing Service. The incumbent will perform decontamination inspection preparation packaging and sterilization services as well as supply items of semi-critical/critical reusable medical equipment for the medical center. The term supply item as used in this functional statement refers to reusable medical devices used for patient care including semi-critical equipment (such as ultrasound probes flexible endoscopes TEEs) and critical reusable medical equipment such as instrumentation used in surgical or clinic trays and sets (scissors forceps retractors etc.) and various other items that could be reprocessed through the Decontamination Preparation and High-level disinfection/Sterilization areas of Sterile Processing Service. Must be able to clean assemble instrument sets sterilize HLD simple and complex RMD.

Reusable Medical Devices RMD: The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Device (RMD) as required by this position. The incumbent will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning disinfection sterilization and preparation of RMD appropriate to this position. The incumbent will be able to demonstrate their ability to utilize an acceptable proficiency in the use of RMD appropriate to this position.

The incumbent handles contaminated critical and semi-critical RMD that may include but is not limited to transporting and/or receiving into the decontamination area. Disassembles the semi-critical/critical RMD and based on manufacturers instructions for use (IFU) and any associated standard operating procedure determines the correct cleaning method such as using the following to include but not limited to: ultrasonic cleaners mechanical washers cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents as determined by manufactures instructions. Inspects prepares assembles sets following prescribed guidelines and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization based on the manufacturers instructions for use and associated reprocessing standard operating procedure (SOP) that includes but not limited to steam hydrogen peroxide (H202) and high-level disinfecting that will include but not limited to automated endoscope reprocessors (AER) and liquid high-level disinfection; may prepare operating room case carts with instrument sets daily utilizing surgery schedule. Removes soil blood tissue fragments body fluids and other contaminants by wiping soaking rinsing and scrubbing following the manufacturers instruction for use and any associated SOP. Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including but not limited to those used in various clinics the endoscopy department and operating room. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination sterilization and inspection of semi-critical and critical reusable medical equipment (RMD). Completes segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center. Operates equipment involved in sterilization processes that includes any identified testing. May be required to prepare operating room case carts. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and SPS management. Performs other duties as employee is under the guidance of the RMD Educator Censitrac Coordinator and Lead MST. These roles will guide and coordinate the daily process; the SPS Chief and/or Assistant Chief will assign work with standing instructions on objectives priorities and deadlines and provide guidance for unusually involved situations. The employee will work as team member with other Medical Supply Technicians of various experience to carry out the daily work utilizing the written standard operating procedures and/or manufacturers written instructions in accordance with instructions policies previous training or accepted/standard practices. Department leadership evaluates completed work for overall technical soundness and conformance to agency policies through competency assessment utilizing simulation direct observation and verbal responses from the incumbent.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 2:00pm-10:30pm with a rotating on-call commitment occurring approximately once every 10 weeks plus one on-call holiday per year; Initial orientation for this position will be 8:00am-4:30pm M-F for approximately 4-6 weeks based on experience and progression.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 21O94

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.

Experience and/or Education

Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicants ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work;

OR

Education. One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in health care related courses such as sterile processing nursing assistant hospital corpsman and operating room and surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position;

OR

Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Certification. None.

Foreign Education. To be creditable education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U. S. programs.

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook work is performed in various settings: decontamination preparation clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are may at times be warm/hot drafty or varied light. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls scrapes cuts bruises and other injuries from material handling equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.

English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3 section A paragraph 3j this part.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

Creditable Experience

Knowledge of Current MST Practices. To be creditable the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with MST responsibilities. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as a MST.

Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MST experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level the higher level duties must consist of significant scope administrative independence complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a MST is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example a MST employed 20 hours a week or on a 1/2-time basis would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service.

In addition to the Basic Requirements above applicants must also meet the Grade Determinations below:

GS-06 (Full Performance Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
2. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
3. Working knowledge of medical terminology anatomy and physiology microbiology medical conditions and procedures.
4. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.
5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.

Assignment. This is the full performance level for the occupation. Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners mechanical washers cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for final processing such as but not limited to steam or hydrogen peroxide (H202) sterilization or high-level disinfecting. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.

Certification: Within one year of hire the employee is to have obtained VA SPS Certification through the Office of Sterile Processing (OSP). This certification is achieved after completion of prerequisites which include 400 hours of hands-on reprocessing and attestation by the SPS Chief and successful passing of the certification examination. All materials for exam preparation and time allowance for taking the exam are provided without charge by the VA.

Preferred Experience: 1-2 years experience in sterile processing service in a medical setting; national Sterile Processing certification highly desired.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/83 PART II APPENDIX G47The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.