This is a Medical Supply Technician (MST) position for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) of the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System - located in Biloxi, MS. This position supports the documentation, preparation and distribution of the hospital's critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment. 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. Certification. None. 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-03 (Entry Level) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. This is an entry level MST position. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. GS-04 (Developmental Level) Experience. Six months experience as a MST, operating room or surgical technician or other position that demonstrated knowledge of sterile processing in a clinical setting; or Education. Two years of education above high school that included at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation. NOTE: Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or nursing assistants obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces, the U.S. Maritime Service, or hospitals under close medical and professional supervision, may be substituted on a month-for-month basis for up to 6 months of experience. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: 1. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. 2. Basic knowledge of medical terminology in order to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets. 3. Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. 4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. GS-05 (Developmental Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. 2. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility. 3. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. GS-06 (Full Performance Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 6. Physical Requirements: Light or moderate lifting; light or moderate carrying; use of fingers, hands and both legs; walking (up to 3 hours), standing (up to 3 hours), visual requirement (with or without correctable lenses), ability to distinguish basic colors, shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted). Environment may include constant noise, working around machinery and moving parts, working with hands in water. ["Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under CBST-12601513-25-LC. Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Duties performed include, but are not limited to the following: Clean and (when appropriate) disinfect critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Equipment/Reusable Medical Devices (RME/RMD) through manual and mechanical processes that employ sinks, ultrasonic cleaners, washer-disinfectors, automated endoscope reprocessors (AER), ultra-violet sanitizing cabinets (UVC), and automated cart washers, as well as a variety of decontamination agents and high-level disinfectants. Processes non-critical equipment when necessary. All cleaning and disinfecting done in accordance with (IAW) industry standards, manufacturer's instructions for use (IFUs), VA directives, and department protocols. Assemble, package, sterilize, store, and distribute RME and RMD for all Sterile Processing Services (SPS) customers IAW industry standards, manufacturer's IFUs, VA directives, and department protocols. Conduct quality assurance testing on the SPS environment, equipment and processes IAW department and regulatory guidelines and manufacturer's IFUs. Monitor all mechanical, chemical, and biological sterilization indicators; as well as all department-wide environmental indicators. Verify and record all sterilization, environmental, and mechanical outcomes as needed and submit repair request when necessary. Wear appropriate work attire and personal protective equipment (PPE) while in both the SPS decontamination and sterilization areas IAW industry standards and VA directives. Observe standard precautions and aseptic technique when applicable. Monitor department's humidity, temperature, air exchange rates, and floor-plan integrity for each SPS section. Practice strict adherence to department workflow and traffic-flow patterns. Perform daily assigned duties in their entirety, according to designated competency level without the need for additional guidance or correction from supervision or other team members. Complete all assigned duties and other work-related actions with IAW department guidelines, VA directives, regulatory guidelines, and with utmost integrity. Meet all deadlines to include daily work assignment deadlines, administrative deadlines and training deadlines. Maintain current knowledge of the department's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that is commensurate with this position. Exhibit knowledge of current industry-standard for cleaning, assembling/packaging, sterilizing, storing, and distributing RME/RMD. Demonstrate acceptable knowledge of the correct form and function of RME/RMD being processed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 3:00 pm - 11:30 pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00642-F/ 00643-F/ 00644-F/ 00645-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized."]

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