Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs

Fayetteville, AR | #government

This Medical Supply Technician position is responsible for the decontamination and processing of all Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) for the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks located in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

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.

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 your 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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-06 (Full Performance Level)n(a) Experience.

One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.n(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:n1.

Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.n2.

Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.n3.

Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medicalnconditions and procedures.n4.

Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.n5.

Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.n(c) Assignment.

This is the full performance level for the occupation.

Receives contaminatedncritical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well.

Disassembles the RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as but not limited to ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washers, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents, as determined by manufacturer instructions.

Inspects, assembles and determines the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors.

Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47 Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (up to 44 pounds); moderate carrying (up to 44 pounds); straight pulling and pushing (6 hours); intermittent heavy pulling; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing (8 hours); kneeling (1-4 hours); repeated bending (8 hours); both legs required; operation of motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable to 20/40 in each eye; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted) Environmental Factors: Sharp objects, foul odors, bodily fluids, excessive heat/cold, excessive humidity, noise, fumes or gases, uneven walking surfaces, moving objects/vehicles, working closely with others and alone in irregular hours of work.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.