Medical Supply Tech (SPS)

Description:

This position is in the Sterile Processing Service, New York Harbor Healthcare System and is responsible for reprocessing critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME) received from internal and external customers.


The announcement will remain open until the closing date or until all vacancies have been filled, whichever occurs first. Applications will be reviewed and referred as needed.

Requirements:

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Experience and/or Education (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or (2) 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 (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. c. Certification. None May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates

. GS-06 (Full Performance Level:

Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, performing duties including but not limited to: Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing. Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Prepares, loads, and operates sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and a high level disinfecting scope re-processor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments.

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 sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope re-processors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.

References: VA Handbook 5005/83; Part II, Appendix G47.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements: The MST may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty, noisy, with fumes, smoke or gases, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working around machinery with moving parts, working with hands in water, accidental splashing, working closely with others and working alone. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for prolonged periods of time, frequent bending and stretching/reaching, walking and pushing fully-loaded/heavy carts which must be negotiated up inclines and over rises or positioning them. Employee must be acutely aware of safety requirements when moving these carts as they have areas that extend outside the visible areas that can cause harm to other staff or equipment. The employee usually stands and moves from one part of the room to another while performing duties. There is frequent requirement for lifting and carrying individual instruments/trays and items weighing at least 25 to 50 pounds. Employee is expected to use proper body mechanics in all aspects of work. Dexterity and normal visual acuity with or without corrective lenses is required for manipulating, disassembly, assembly and inspecting and assembling reusable medical equipment. Computer work and instrument sorting requires periods of intense visual concentration. Work Environment: The work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation and assembly, sterilization, sterile storage/supply and in other services and departments throughout the NY Harbor HealthCare System. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a controlled clean environment. The employee must wear hospital scrub tops and bottoms, protective equipment such as bouffant hair covers, cover jackets, shoe covers. If assigned to the Decontamination room, the employee must wear protective personal equipment such as impervious gowns, knee high shoe covers, heavy duty impervious long sleeve gloves, face mask/face shield and bouffant hair cover. This attire can be uncomfortably warm. The employee must also wear insulated gloves when unloading washer disinfector racks and sterilization racks and cart washers. The employee may also be subjected to burns from accidentally touching hot items. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises and other injuries. The employee often works around biohazardous materials such as: blood and body fluids, mucous, excretions, and bits of tissue which may be foul smelling. The employee may also be subject to strong, unpleasant odors while decontaminating and disinfecting instrumentation or RME and noise hazards due to clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of cleaning, disinfecting and sterilization equipment.