Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Assistant Chief

Summary Northern Arizona VA Health Care System is seeking an experienced Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) – Assistant Chief to help lead our Sterile Processing Service (SPS). This role oversees decontamination and sterilization of critical reusable medical equipment, ensures regulatory compliance, guides staff training, and supports budget planning. The 2‑page resume requirement does not apply to this position. Qualifications United States citizenship. Non‑citizens may only be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be found, in accordance with VA policy. Basic requirement: Six months of experience demonstrating ability to perform the work or an equivalent education. Or education: One year beyond high school with at least six semester hours in healthcare‑related courses such as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, or operating‑room technician. Equivalency combinations of experience and education are acceptable at the entry level. No certification required. Grandfathering provision: Current MSTs in this occupation who meet the basic requirements at the effective date of this standard are considered qualified. Temporary appointments before the effective date do not automatically qualify. Required experience for the GS‑09 supervisory title: One year of Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) experience at the GS‑08 level, including overseeing decontamination, sterilization, and distribution of reusable medical equipment. Supervisory KSAs: Planning, staffing, evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, resolving staff issues, managing fiscal data, developing policies, evaluating new equipment, and ensuring compliance with sterility principles. Physical Requirements The position involves both administrative and physical demands across various settings: decontamination, scope reprocessing, preparation, clean sterile supply, and other clinical or administrative spaces. Duties may involve hot, cold, drafty, and poorly lit areas; handling of sharp instruments; lifting up to 50 pounds; navigating between contaminated and sterile environments; wearing personal protective equipment; exposure to body fluids and strong odors. Frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting of sterile products are required. Responsibilities Oversee daily sterile processing functions, including decontamination, preparation, sterilization, and storage of reusable medical equipment, ensuring compliance with national standards, SOPs, and manufacturer instructions. Ensure staff competency in reprocessing reusable medical equipment and adherence to national sterile processing standards. Evaluate and recommend new products and equipment. Responsible for biological monitoring, recall procedures for internally sterilized materials, and other sterility assurance controls. Maintain an ongoing training program and ensure all employees meet required Continuing Education Units for National SPS Level One Certification. Set deadlines, priorities, operating instructions, performance standards, identify equipment requirements, and recommend methods to improve quality and productivity of the SPS. Manage, interpret, and present fiscal data; forecast resource needs; administer allocated budget. Plan and supervise staff, including approving leave, addressing training needs, and resolving employee issues. Oversee attendance and leave, approve sick and annual leave and vacation schedules. Benefits Competitive salary with the possibility of a higher step rate for unique qualifications. Annual paid time off: 37–50 days per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Eligible applicants may receive credit toward annual leave accrual. Parental leave: After 12 months, up to 12 weeks of paid leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Child‑care subsidy: After 60 days, eligible full‑time employees with a family income below $144,000 may receive up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% employer matching. Federal health, vision, dental, life, and long‑term care insurance available, some of which can be carried into retirement. Recruitment incentive: Sign‑on bonus may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Telework is not available; the position is not virtual. Permanent change of station (relocation assistance) is not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr