Medical Supply Tech (Sterile Processing)
Job Location:
Portland, OR - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
VA Portland Health Care System is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides extensive primary secondary tertiary and quaternary care in outpatient inpatient residential and community settings. VAPORHCS is a multi-site medical system that includes a major medical facility in Portland Oregon outpatient and residential facilities in Vancouver Washington and 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.
In this position the incumbent will provide sterilization preparation supply items and reusable medical device decontamination and distribution support for the medical center. The term supply item refers to disposable and reusable items for patient care including instrumentation (scissors forceps retractors etc.) reusable medical device (suction machines infusion pumps etc.) surgical trays and sets and various other items that could be processed or assembled through the preparation and decontamination areas of the Sterile Processing Service.
The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Device (RMD) as required by this position and will be required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning disinfection 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.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 3:00pm - 11:30pm PST
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
- 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- 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.
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.
- English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3 section A paragraph 3j this part.
(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.
Grade Determinations:
GS-03 Medical Supply Technician - Experience/Education Requirement: None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-04 Medical Supply Technician -
- Experience/Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements to qualify for the GS-04 you must meet one of the following experience or education requirements:
- Experience: Six months experience as a MST operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; OR
- Education: Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. NOTE: Successful completion of a course for medical technicians hospital corpsmen medical service specialists or nursing assistants obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces the US. Maritime Service or hospitals under close medical and professional supervision may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to 6 months of experience.
- Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience or education above the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:
- Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
- Basic knowledge of medical terminology to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets
- Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
- Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
- Experience/Education Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements to qualify for the GS-05 you must meet one of the following experience or education requirements:
- Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (4). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Performing segments of work pertaining to the decontamination sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME); completing segments of work pertaining to the assembly of basic sets and trays for use in the medical center; operating equipment involved in sterilization processes; preparing operating room case carts; OR
- Education: Four academic years above high school leading to a Bachelors degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation or a Bachelors degree.
- Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience or education above the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:
- Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
- Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility.
- Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
- Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements to qualify for the GS-06 you must possessone year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Removing soil blood tissue fragments body fluids and other containments by wiping soaking rinsing and scrubbing; Inspecting packages for indications of proper sterilization assembling basic sets and trays used throughout a medical facility including those used in the operating room; preparing loading and operating sterilizers such as steam Sterrad Steris ETO and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule.
- Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above you must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
- Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
- Working knowledge of medical terminology anatomy and physiology microbiology medical conditions and procedures.
- Knowledge of sterility principles in regard to instrumentation.
- Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit Requirements: Moderate lifting 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying 15-44 pounds; Pushing 2 hours; Reaching above shoulders; Use of Fingers; Both Hands Required; Walking 2 hours; Standing 4 hours; Repeated bending 1 hour; Both Legs Required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors;
Environmental Factors: Outside and inside; Slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Excessive heat Working around machinery with moving parts; Excessive cold; Constant Noise; Working hands in water.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges universities schools or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information visit:
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations Security and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
