Medical Supply Technician-Sterile Processing Advanced

Qualifications This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 1, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be July 15, 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled 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 Experience and/or Education 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 OR 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 OR Grandfathering Provision All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date 5/28/2014 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 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: GS-07 (Advanced Level) Experience One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1 Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings 2 Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets 3 In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment 4 Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others Assignment The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines Preferred Experience: Previously 1 year or currently full performance level VA Sterile Processing experience, VA Sterile Processing Certification, or other Sterile Processing Certification (HSPA - formerly IAHCSMM or CBSPD) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus The MST may be required to work in areas that are hot, humid, cold, drafty, and poorly lighted The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds) The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of RMD, as well as discerning physical monitors and process indicators of equipment On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment The employee wears special clothing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) that can be uncomfortably warm The MST is subject to burns and chemical exposure The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of equipment. ]]>