Medical Supply Technician Sterile Processing (Technical Career Field Trainee (TCF)

Qualifications 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 Experience: Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's 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 Grade Determinations: Experience (must be clearly annotated on your resume): One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-04) Examples of experience include but are not limited to: Performs segments of work pertaining to infection prevention performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME) 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 Prepares operating room case carts OR Education: Four academic years above high school leading to a Bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation or a Bachelor's degree AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs must be clearly annotated on your resume) In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position 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, 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 Preferred Experience: Completion of TMS Sterile Processing Training Modules (Must provide proof of completion with application) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings throughout the facility, to include but not limited to decontamination, endoscope reprocessing, high-level disinfection, preparation (inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization) and sterile storage The trainee may be required to work in a multitude of temperature variants The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday, with frequent bending, lifting of instrumentation May require the ability to deliver loaded transport carts to the point of use May require the ability to operate equipment, such as cart transport assist devices The work requires dexterity and visual acuity, including the ability to differentiate color for interpretation of quality assurance tests, manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation On a regular and recurring basis, the trainee will be asked to rotate between carefully controlled clean environments and the contaminated area of decontamination The trainee wears personal protective equipment, as appropriate for their area This may include, but not limited to hospital provided surgical attire, hair covers, beard covers, and appropriate shoe coverings The trainee may be exposed to hazardous materials and loud noises within work areas The trainee may be exposed to chemicals and chemical/ sterilant fumes, blood-borne pathogens, varied temperature and humidity levels, slip/trip/fall conditions related to wet environments, and sharp items The trainee often works around body fluids, mucus, excretions, and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while disinfecting instruments, RME, and work surfaces IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified Please follow all instructions carefully Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. ]]]]>