Medical Supply Technician; Sterile Processing

Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Summary The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) performs a wide area of duties – including cleaning, decontamination, assembly, sterilization, and distribution processes associated with medical, surgical, and reusable medical devices (RMD) throughout all services at the facility.

• 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:
    • Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work.
    • 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, or operating room and surgical technician courses.
    • Equivalent combination of experience and education qualifies for entry level. No specific certification is required.
  • Foreign education:
    Education completed outside the U.S. must be submitted to an organization that interprets foreign credentials and be deemed at least equivalent to U.S. programs.
  • Physical requirements:
    
    See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
  • English language proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA policy.
• Grade‑Specific Requirements:
  • GS‑03 (Entry Level) – Experience or education only. No additional qualifications beyond the basic requirements.
  • GS‑04 (Developmental Level)
    • Six months experience as an MST, operating room or surgical technician, or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting.
    • Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation.
    • Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities:
      • 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 orally and in writing.
  • GS‑05 (Developmental Level)
    • One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
    • Four academic years above high school leading to a Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 semester hours related to the occupation or a Bachelor’s degree.
    • Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities:
      • 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.
  • GS‑06 (Full Performance Level)
    • One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
    • Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities:
      • Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
      • Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross‑contamination.
      • Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
      • Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.
  • Preferred experience:
    
    HSPA certification, medical terminology, high‑level disinfection and sterilization experience.

• Operate within the Whole Health System of care and follow the Veterans Health Administration mission to honor America’s veterans.
• Receive contaminated critical and semi‑critical RMD in the decontamination area.
• Disassemble the RMD and determine the correct cleaning method.
• Adhere to quality control procedures throughout the decontamination and sterile preparation/processing areas.
• Reprocess and inventory medical devices used throughout the facility.
• Collect and receive all used‑soiled reusable critical and semi‑critical RMD using proper PPE and infection control procedures.
• Properly disassemble technical medical instrumentation and equipment, ensuring removal of any bioburden.
• Conduct thorough inspections of instrumentation for cleanliness, damage, and other imperfections.
• Perform manual and automated cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization according to manufacturer instructions.
• Document quality assurance testing including bioburden testing, minimum effective concentration (MEC) testing,…