Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. 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, this part. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-08 Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to manage, interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds. 2. Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed. 3. Ability to oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination, preparation, sterilization, monitoring, and distribution of RME. 4. Ability to perform a full range of supervisory duties, including assigning, planning and evaluating work, recommending awards, approving leave, identifying training needs, and resolving staff issues. Preferred Experience: National Certification Sterile Processing Services Sterile Processing is a critical service responsible for the inspection, decontamination, processing, and sterilization of reusable surgical and medical devices. Because this work directly supports patient safety and surgical outcomes, it requires the most competent, skilled, and qualified individual. Attention to detail, strict adherence to regulatory requirements, and unwavering compliance with established standards are essential qualities for anyone being considered for this supervisory role. To ensure we select a candidate who can meet the operational, regulatory and leadership demands of Sterile Processing, applicants who fully meet the following qualifications should be referred: Extensive and demonstrable knowledge of sterile processing practices, including all current regulatory, compliance, and accreditation requirements. Experience in Sterile Processing (SPS), GI endoscopy reprocessing, Dental instrument reprocessing or Surgical Technology. Proven competency in budget planning, equipment procurement and resource management. Strong computer proficiency, including the ability to utilize departmental systems, tracking platforms, reporting dashboards and data management tools accurately and efficiently. A minimum of two years of leadership experience within healthcare or sterile processing, with verifiable experience supervising staff, managing workflows and overseeing performance. HSPA or CBSPD certification required. Demonstrated critical-thinking skills, sound judgment, and effective problem-solving abilities. Exceptional work ethic, reliability, professional integrity and accountability. Positive character aligned with organizational mission, core values and service excellence. 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-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS08. Physical Requirements This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation, clean sterile supply (preparation) and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. 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. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items. The hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses are unknown. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while decontaminating bloody or grossly contaminated instrumentation or reusable medical Devices. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment.