The incumbent is a Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) Coordinator for Sterile Processing Service (SPS) is responsible for interpreting policies and procedures of SPS to others in the work setting, functions within established guidelines, demonstrates the ability to work effectively, and develops sound relationships with nursing staff as well as other professional and supportive staff. 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: 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 of the qualficiation standard. 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). Grandfathering Provision. All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-0622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. (2) MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. 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. Grade Determinations: Creditable Experience. Knowledge of Current MST Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) associated with MST responsibilities. Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid/non-paid employment as a MST. Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to MST experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a MST is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a MST employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. GS-06 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: Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Assignment of the GS-06: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions. Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. GS-07 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - RME Coordinator: 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: Ability to interact with individuals of varying backgrounds in order to assess the needs of the department. Ability to coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely fashion. Ability to interpret and apply sterile processing/infection prevention regulations and policies. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment. Ability to initiate and lead interdisciplinary groups in carrying out sterile processing functions. Assignment of the GS-7. The RME Coordinator provides oversight in the development, implementation, coordination, maintenance and evaluation of critical and semi-critical medical devices within the RME Program. Reviews the acquisition of new equipment and advises using services of anticipated delivery dates. Controls the release of any new equipment until verification of all SOPs have been developed and communicated to staff. This includes coordination across services and/or disciplines which can influence the organizational mission, vision, values and strategic priorities for RME. Monitors, analyzes and provides consultation on infection control issues regarding RME. Participates in clinical rounds to assist in the verification of each service's SOPs for RME. Investigates the need for any manufacturer and model-specific SOP required for new RME at the time of the acquisition request. When new SOPs are required, obtains the necessary information from the manufacturer or vendor. Develops SOPs to standardize equipment used in the medical center. Educates hospital staff, including the executive level, on all new equipment to ensure compliance is met as it relates to RME. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-07 level Physical Requirements: Requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. other injuries from material handling equipment. The employee wears special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers that can be uncomfortably warm. The employee uses insulated gloves to remove carts from sterilizers. Subject to burns from accidently touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gases are unknown. ["Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Supply Aide and Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Supply-Aide-Career-Flyer.pdf Duties include but not limited to: Provides oversight in the development, implementation, coordination, maintenance, and evaluation of critical and semi-critical medical devices within the RME program. Reviews the acquisition of new equipment and advises using services of anticipated delivery dates. Controls the release of any new equipment until verification that all standard operating procedures (SOP) have been developed and communicated to staff. This includes coordination across services and/or disciplines which can influence the organizational mission, vision, values and strategic priorities for RME. Monitors, analyzes, and provides consultation on infection control issues regarding RME. Participates in clinical rounds to assist in verification of each service's SOPs for RME. Investigates the need for any manufacturer and model-specific SOP required, obtains the necessary information from the manufacturer or vendor. Develops SOPs to standardize equipment used in the medical center. Educates hospital staff, including the executive level, on all new equipment to ensure compliance is met as it relates to RME. Functions in all areas of the instrumentation and delivery process as needed per unit. In this position, the incumbent may need to provide sterilization, preparation, supply items and reusable medical equipment decontamination and distribution support for the medical center. The term \"supply item\" as used in this functional statement refer to disposable and reusable items for patient care including instrumentation (scissors, forceps, retractors, etc.), reusable medical equipment (suction machines, infusion pumps, etc.), surgical trays and sets and various other items that could be processed or assembled through the preparation and decontamination areas of Sterile Processing Service. These specific duties could include, but not limited to removing soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing. Assembles basic sets, trays and peel packs used throughout the medical center, including those used in the operating room. Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization, proper packaging and signs of unsterile product. Advanced skills for next lower grade level should include; case cart preparation, based on surgical schedule. Operation of all sterilizers, to include; steam, hydrogen peroxide, ETO. Performs high level disinfection via soak and scope reprocessing. Documentation of testing procedures and legal data logs. Quality is a unit priority. Responsible for compliance with all requirements for the decontamination and reprocessing of RME an complies with all competency assessments for SPS processing of RMD. Decontaminates, packages, and sterilizes instruments and items which provide direct patient support to the entire medical center, nursing units, clinical area, procedure areas, dental, emergency services and CBOC's. Employee will make recommendations and assist with supply request for patients with special needs. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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: Ad-hoc only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 939750 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Aurthorized"]

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