Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Quality Assurance

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Lifecycle management of all medical systems such as life support dialysis and monitoring to include physical and network support.
• Coordinates and works effectively with other facility support departments including but not limited to Facilities Management Service (FMS) Office of Information Technology (OIT) Patient Safety Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Logistics Contracting Informatics and Environmental Management Service (EMS). Specific tasks include but are not limited to incoming inspections regular and unscheduled maintenance and planning for end of life replacement in conjunction with clinical services.
• Maintains functional knowledge of relevant safety codes and standards of regulatory bodies including but not limited to The Joint Commission (TJC) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).
• Documents all work performed in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). This documentation is completed in accordance with regulatory body requirements the Office of Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Documentation of Services policies and guidelines and other VA requirements.
• Applies basic networking principles to resolve medical system communication issues including but not limited to node to server failures. Adheres to VA Medical Device Cyber Security policies and procedures in pre-procurement during system implementation and throughout the life of the system. Loads operating system (OS) and clinical application software as needed. Executes VA policy when responding to network incident response (due to infection loss of services due to policy changes).
• As assigned functions as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and keeps appropriate certification levels. Uses knowledge of government contract procedures and documentation requirements to develop statements of work sole source justifications other applicable documentation (VA Form 6550 Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) etc.) and to oversee vendor work. Collaborates with Logistics and Contracting to procure parts and services; functions as a purchase card holder as required.
• Investigates remediates and documents Repairable Medical Device (RMD) recalls and safety alerts issued through the VA Alerts and Recall Management System (ARMS) within established timeframes. Participates in local safety improvement processes such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) safety work groups and Environment of Care Rounds. Identifies hazards during routine job performance and takes action to ensure they are addressed and corrected.
• Maintains knowledge of the state of the art in medical technology including scientific advances network protocols and vendor changes. Focuses on professional development in all areas of medical technology lifecycle management including technical skills. Knowledge and training is obtained from formal (conference vendor-provided classes) or informal (magazines articles peer training) means.
• Provides training and education as appropriate to medical technology end users and clinical staff.
• Provides mentoring and technical training to peers and BESS at developmental levels.
• May be tasked with leading and managing installation or upgrade projects for medical devices and systems. This includes but is not limited to pre-implementation planning and coordination with end users vendors and other onsite support staff (OIT Informatics SPS etc.)
• Additional duties are performed as assigned by supervisor related to maintenance remediation and tracking of medical systems (action items special projects etc.) to meet mission critical requirements. May be asked to assist in other administrative duties as well including participating in hiring panels.
• Represents Biomedical/Clinical Engineering department on committees and in meetings as delegated by supervisor.

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• Grandfathering Provision. All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it the following provisions apply:
• (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation.
• (2) MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
• (3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• 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 5019.
• English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3 section A paragraph 3j this part.