Qualifications

COVERAGE. The following are requirements for appointment as a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). These requirements apply to all VHA Medical Supply Technicians (Sterile Processing) (MSTs) in the General Schedule (GS)-0622 series.

Basic Requirements:

• a
• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• b
• Experience and/or Education (1) Experience
• Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work
• or (2) 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 (3) Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable
• c
• Certification
• None d
• 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
• e
• English Language Proficiency
• MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook regulations
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS a
• Creditable Experience (1) 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
• (2) 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
• (3) 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
• b
• Grade Determinations
• The following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-08 Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) (a) Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1
• Ability to read and interpret written procedures and select appropriate action in order to instruct staff in correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments
• 2
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to ensure staff compliance with written directives, rules and regulations
• 3
• Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers
• 4
• Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures
• 5
• Ability to lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments
• (c) Assignment
• The Lead MST at this level oversees a work team that includes at least one MST position that is above the full performance
• Distributes and prioritizes workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations
• Assures an even distribution of the workload
• When necessary, revises work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload
• Assigns tasks as necessary to provide new employees with the experience and training required to perform decontamination of scopes and instrumentation in the work area
• Monitors and reports on the status of work
• Ensures SOPs and SPS mandates are followed during the performance of workflow
• Reviews or spot checks scope processing work to ensure completed work meets supervisors' instructions (e.g., work sequences, procedures, methods, and deadlines)
• Assesses the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of scope medical equipment, material and instrumentation
• Provides information to management officials concerning performance issues, assignment changes and task completion
• Instructs employees on work-related activities, policies, procedures and goals
• Preferred Experience: Knowledge of the processes for Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Former VA Handbook Reference: PART II APPENDIX G47 Effective Date: May 28, 2014 Physical Requirements: May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment.