Summary The Fayetteville, NC VA Medical Center has an opening for a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing.) The MSTs main responsibility is the prevention of infections by sterilizing, cleaning, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing medical supplies in a health care facility by using their knowledge on the principles of sterilization and sterile processing. Responsibilities The MST decontaminates, sterilizes instruments, medical supplies, and equipment. Assembles, wraps, and sterilizes trays of instruments. Follows proper Standard Precautions while in decontamination and sterilization trays. Monitors biological and chemical wash solution to ensure quality and consistency for decontamination of instruments and medical equipment. Sorts mismatched sets of instruments, trays, and medical equipment making them available to sterile processing customers in a timely manner. Restocks, labels, maintains inventory, submits requisitions, collects, and distributes instruments, trays, crash carts, and facility medical equipment. Performs environmental maintenance duties and assists in maintaining inventory levels in sterile processing, operating room, and equipment storage areas. Verifies that equipment functions properly, requisitions for equipment maintenance repair or replacement, and removes defective equipment. Maintains a clean work area. Assists in maintaining established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality improvement, safety, environmental and infection control standards. Communicates appropriately using good interpersonal skills. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions, and procedures. Uses a computerized instrument tracking system in the performance of assigned duties, obtaining count sheets, special handling instructions for instrumentation documenting sterilization loads, and other assigned task. The MST embraces patient-family centered care principles. The incumbent practices excellent customer service in all work activities. The MST must be poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds. The MST makes caring for the veteran his/her priority in all aspects of work. The MST is willing to work cooperatively as a member of a team in all assignments. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, variable shifts with On Call for emergencies Compressed/Flexible: Authorized, 8 hour and 10 hour shifts available. Telework / Remote: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Driving Required: Yes, 25% Functional Statement #: MST-GS06 Rev. 0624 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, and section A. paragraph 3j. Experience: one year of experience equivalent to the next lower GS-05 grade. 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. 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.) Grade Determinations: The GS-6 Medical Supply Technician is the full performance level. The expected experience is six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; OR education that is 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 an equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. and the candidate must demonstrate the following professional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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, physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures. 4. Knowledge of sterility principles regarding instrumentation. 5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Preferred Experience: 3+ years of Sterile Processing Supply experience 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-06. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring case carts and other objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing while on duty. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on departmental needs. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.