Summary This Lead Medical Supply Technician - Sterile Processing position is part of the Sterile Processing Services Team in the VA Manchester Healthcare System, located at Manchester, New Hampshire. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. Responsibilities Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf The Lead Medical Supply Technician in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) is considered to be at the advanced performance level with respect to sterile processing. The Lead position works in support of the SPS team. They distribute and prioritize workload among fellow Medical Supply Technicians GS-0622-3/4/5/6, in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations, to complete tasks in a timely accurate manner. The Lead is responsible for all activities that occur in the department during their tour of duty. This includes receiving instruments, trays, processing through decontamination, assembly, and sterilization. The Lead will serve as the subject matter expert to guide staff through the proper procedures. Monitors and reports on the status of the work being performed, and ensures all work adheres to established policies and procedures. Reviews work in progress and spot checks work to ensure completed work meets the demands of the facility and quality standards. Assesses the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of reusable medical devices (RMD) processed. Provide information to management officials concerning performance issues, assignment changes and task completion. He/she will accommodate special and emergent requirements through consultation and coordination with the medical/surgical professional staff. On a regular and recurring basis, lead duties in this position consist of the following: Distributes and balances the workload among staff in order to ensure timely processing. Keeps in touch with the status and progress of work, and makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities. Reports on expected time of completion of work, and maintain records of work accomplishments and time expended. Prepares production reports as requested. Instruct employees in specific tasks and job techniques and make available written instructions and reference materials as necessary. Provides on the job training to new employees. Maintains current knowledge and answer questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives, etc. May obtain needed information or decisions from the supervisor on problems that arise. Spot checks work in progress and assists in reviewing completed work to see that instructions, work sequences, procedures, methods and deadlines have been met. Amend or reject work not meeting established standards. Refers to the supervisor questions or issues not covered by standards and/or problems in meeting performance standards. Monitors working conditions such as seating, ventilation, lighting, safety, etc. Reports to the supervisor on performance, progress and training needs of employees. Completes competencies for MST's, as delegated. Reports on behavior problems. Other duties assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, shift hours negotiable Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PDF07831 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. Veterans' preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees. Current federal employees must submit copies of their most recent non-award SF50 (notice of personnel action). The SF50 must identify the position, title, series, grad, step, tenure and type of service (competitive or excepted). In some cases, more than one SF50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is a NAGE Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special rate. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/25/2024. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-7 Grade Level Requirement. Experience: In addition to requirements listed above the following must be met for the GS-7 level: Candidates must meet one year of experience equivalent to the [GS-6] 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. 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. AND Must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities below: Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives, rules and regulations. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures. Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments. 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/83 PART II APPENDIX G47 The grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Preferred Experience: At least two years as Sterile Processing Technician. Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings throughout the facility, to include but not limited to; decontamination, scope room, sterile storage, Package & Prep and clinical departments. The incumbent may be required to work in a multitude of temperature variants. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday, with frequent bending and lifting of instrumentation (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work may require dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee will be asked to rotate between carefully controlled clean environments and the contaminated area of decontamination. The employee wears personal protective equipment, as appropriate for their area. This will include, but not limited to; hospital provided surgical attire, hair covers, beard covers, shoe covers and hospital dedicated shoes. The employee may be exposed to hazardous materials or loud noises within the department. 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.