Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing Advanced)

Summary

These 4 Advanced Medical Supply Technician positions are in the Sterile Processing Service Line, at the VA Medical Center, in West Haven Connecticut.

Duties

• The Advanced Medical Supply Technician (MST) is assigned to Sterile Processing Service (SPS) and provides safe efficient practices for decontamination, high level disinfection, instrument assembly and sterilization for all SPS.
• The Advanced MST supports SPS initiatives to meet the facility needs for critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RMD).
• Duties include but are not limited to: Decontamination of RMD: Collects, receives, decontaminates and inspects all soiled, instruments, equipment, and apparatus to include complex diagnostic equipment and medical apparatus; Ensures disassembly of removable parts to ensure RMD can be appropriately decontaminated to ensure all bioburden is removed.
• Completely and thoroughly disassembles and positions all parts of technical RME to ensure the removal of bioburden.
• Performs leak tests on flexible endoscopes to determine the integrity of the scope is intact prior to initiating the cleaning and high-level disinfection or terminal sterilization process.
• Operates decontamination equipment such as washer decontaminators, ultrasonic equipment, cart washers, automated electronic solution/dilution dispensers, and irrigators; Follows all manufacturers' instructions on cleaning/decontamination of RMD using department's Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and manufacturer guidelines.
• Sterilization: Inspects, assembles, packages, and sterilizes all trays, sets, and packs used for a variety of general and specialized medical and surgical procedures; Performs RMD integrity testing in accordance with the Quality Management Program (e.g. uses laparoscopic insulation tester, borescope type channel checks, biological sterilizer testing, visual inspection and instrument integrity checks; Maintains records for all high level disinfect and sterilization that are processed including interpretation of all biological monitoring, minimum effective concentration levels (MEC), validation of monitoring results, and quality assurance checks to ensure parameters are met.
• Quality Assurance Support and Reports: Performs quality assurance activities including but not limited to monitoring biological and chemical indicators and integrators, Bowie dick tests, time/temperature graphs (if applicable), and ensuring appropriate RMD checks are performed and documented prior to and after sterilization or reprocessing; Performs other quality assurance activities including verifying accuracy of labeling, contents, cleanliness, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, work orders entered in computer, and sterilization parameters checks; Evaluates gathered data and based upon findings, makes recommendations to improve effectiveness or processes; Follows local Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) which are written in accordance with the manufacturers' written instructions for reprocessing RMD; Consults SPS leads or supervisor(s) when clarification of written instructions are needed; fully understands the reprocessing of reusable medical equipment is never based on vendors' verbal instructions, as this is not an adequate practice.
• May be assigned additional duties and to "on-call" tours and when called in must be able to work independently in performing all duties.
• Work Schedule-Full-Time, 40 hours a week, Various Tours and Duties.
• EST (1) Monday-Friday 3:00pm -11:30pm evening shift, every other Saturday 7:00am-3:30pm (2) Monday-Friday 11:00am -7:30pm split shift, every other Saturday 7:00am-3:30pm (3) Monday-Friday, 7:00am -3:30pm day shift, every other Saturday 7:00am-3:30pm (4 )Sunday-Friday 11:00pm -7:30am night shift, every other Saturday 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: FS F07991 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Notifications: This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies with various shifts,(Days, Evenings or Nights).
• Veterans' Preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
• This position is in the Excepted Service.
• EDRP is not Authorized.
• This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit Position.
• This position is covered by a special rate.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action).
• The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
• In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.

Requirements

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Complete all application requirements detailed in the “Required Documents” section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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/.

Required Documents

Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position:

• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
• Résumé Reminder: Your résumé must include the following information each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g.
• June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
• Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your résumé.
• Be sure that your résumé clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
• An incomplete application will receive a rating of IFFM (ineligible due to missing forms).
• Requests for reconsideration will not be considered for applicants who fail to submit a complete application package.
• We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software or fax transmissions.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.