Job Title:MEDICAL SUPPLY TECHNICIAN
Department:Department Of Veterans Affairs
Agency:Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Job Announcement Number:VN-15-LLO-1297477-BU
SALARY RANGE:
$27,528.00 to $50,100.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:
Friday, January 9, 2015 to Thursday, January 15, 2015
SERIES & GRADE:
GS-0622-03/06
POSITION INFORMATION:
Full Time - Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
06
DUTY LOCATIONS:
5 vacancies in the following location:
Boston, MA
WHO MAY APPLY:
United States Citizens
SECURITY CLEARANCE:
Other
SUPERVISORY STATUS:
No
JOB SUMMARY:
Vacancy ID: 1297477
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise – “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” – by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs employees who possess the energy, compassion, and commitment to serve those who served our Country. Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of truly special and deserving people - our Veterans. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. Working for VA is one of the most emotionally satisfying and professionally rewarding ways to dedicate the best within you to your Country's service. If you are transitioning from the military or a Veteran already, we invite you to explore the benefits of continuing your career at the VA. The VA is committed to hiring Veterans.
The VA is much more than just another employer. It is an honorable, open and welcoming community of those who care. Gratitude is our motivation and service is our mission.
The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define “who we are,” our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence (“I CARE”).
America's Veterans need you! To find out more, go to http://www.va.gov/jobs/.
TRAVEL REQUIRED
Occasional Travel
Position requires travel to various campuses within the Boston Healthcare System as needed.
RELOCATION AUTHORIZED
No
KEY REQUIREMENTS
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
You may be required to serve a probationary period
Background investigation may be required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
DUTIES:
This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-06. At the GS-03, 04, 05 grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-06. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.
DUTIES:
The incumbent functions as a Medical Supply Technician conducting the sterilization and processing of Reusable Medical Equipment at the Boston Health Care System, MA. The incumbent is required to travel to the Sterilization and Processing Department (S&P) in all campuses when necessary. The position is required to work as needed on other than normal working tours of duty, either in the evening, nights, holidays or weekends. Duties include but are not limited to:
• Collects contaminated case carts from operating rooms as well as other clinics;
• Decontaminates and inspects instruments prior to sterilization by hand washing or by use of the washer sanitizer;
• Inspects and insures bio-burden is removed prior to ultrasonic and machine washing; Uses judgment in examining items for defects, damage, cleanliness;
• Lubricates saws;
• Protects delicate instruments from damage;
• Recommends substation of instruments and distinguishes between reusable and unusable items;
• Processes contaminated rigid and flexible endoscopes;
• Uses Automated Endoscope Reprocessor (AER);
• Processes reusable medical equipment such as I.V. poles, pumps, commodes, telemetry boxes, etc;
• Ensures AER and washer disinfector are functioning appropriately;
• Tests equipment daily to ensure appropriate performance of equipment
• Uses chemicals/detergents for cleaning purposes and complies with safety measures;
• Follows procedures for clean and safe handling of medical devices;
• Assembles and labels instrument sets for the various procedures;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
WORK SCHEDULE: Sunday-Saturday 7:00am-3:30pm, 7:30am-4:00pm, 2:30pm-11:00pm, 11:00pm-7:30am.
DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. -AND-
GS-03 REQUIRES: Six (6) months of general experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of a Medical Supply Technician. General experience includes operating a variety of equipment and devices used in cleaning and decontamination procedures and that provided a familiarity with medical/surgical tools and equipment. ~OR~
GS-03 SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Successfully completed one (1) year of study above high school at an accredited institution that included six (6) semester hours in courses such as: medical supply processing, storage, and distribution; sterile supplies, operating room and surgical technician courses; or other field directly related to the duties of this position may be substituted for the experience required at the GS-03 grade level. (Transcripts required) ~OR~
GS-03 COMBINATION: A combination of general experience and post high school education as described for the GS-03 grade level that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of a Medical Supply Technician may be used to qualify for this position.
GS-04 REQUIRES: Six (6) months of general experience and six (6) months of specialized experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of a Medical Supply Technician. General experience is any experience that demonstrates your ability to operate a variety of equipment and devices used in cleaning and decontamination procedures and that provides a familiarity with medical/surgical tools and equipment. Specialized experience may have been gained as an operating room technician, medical instrument technician, nursing assistant, corpsman, or laboratory worker. Specialized experience includes: processing, assembling, sterilizing, storing, and issuing medical supplies and equipment using aseptic techniques, washer-sterilizers, ultrasonic instrument cleaners, and gas and steam sterilizers. ~OR~
GS-04 SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: An associate’s degree or two (2) years of education above high school leading to an associate’s degree at an accredited institution that included twelve (12) semester hours in courses such as: medical supply processing, storage, and distribution; sterile supplies, operating room and surgical technician courses; or other field directly related to the duties of this position? One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours. (Transcripts required) ~OR~
GS-04 COMBINATION: A combination of general experience, specialized experience, and post high school education as described for the GS-04 grade level that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of a Medical Supply Technician may be used to qualify for this position.
GS-05 REQUIRES: One (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of a Medical Supply Technician. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level of Federal service. Specialized experience includes: processing, assembling, troubleshooting, preparing, sterilizing, storing and issuing sterile and unsterile medical supplies and equipment; knowledge of the technical names, general uses, physical characteristics, and operating conditions of medical supply items; knowledge of decontamination, cleaning, preparation, sterilization, and storage procedures; knowledge of aseptic techniques; and skill in operating a washer-sterilizer, ultrasonic instrument cleaners, and gas and steam sterilizers. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work as an operating room technician, medical instrument technician, nursing assistant, corpsman, or laboratory worker. ~OR~
GS-05 SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree or four (4) years of post-high school education leading to a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution that included twelve (12) semester hours in courses such as: medical supply processing, storage, and distribution; sterile supplies, operating room and surgical technician courses; or other field directly related to the duties of this position? One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours. (Transcripts required) ~OR~
GS-05 COMBINATION: A combination of specialized experience and post-high school education as described for the GS-05 that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of the position may be used to qualify for this position. For the GS-05, only the semester hours in excess of the first 60 semester hours can be used in place of experience.
GS-06 REQUIRES: One (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of a Medical Supply Technician. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level of Federal service. Specialized experience includes: processing, assembling, troubleshooting, preparing, sterilizing, storing and issuing sterile and unsterile medical supplies and equipment; knowledge of the technical names, general uses, physical characteristics, and operating conditions of medical supply items; knowledge of decontamination, cleaning, preparation, sterilization, and storage procedures; knowledge of aseptic techniques; skill in operating a washer-sterilizer, ultrasonic instrument cleaners, and gas and steam sterilizers; determining correct cleaning method, such as ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical cleaners, cart washers and chemical cleaning/decontamination agents; inspecting, assembling and determining correct method and packaging for sterilization such as Sterrad, Steris, ETO and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors; and performing and documenting daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work as an operating room technician, medical instrument technician, nursing assistant, corpsman, or laboratory worker. ~OR~
GS-06 SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Six (6) months of graduate education from an accredited institution in a field directly related to the duties of this position may be substituted for the experience required at the GS-06 grade level. Relevant coursework includes medical supply processing, storage, and distribution; sterile supplies, operating room, and surgical technician courses; or other fields related to the position. ~OR~
GS-06 COMBINATION: A combination of specialized experience and successfully completed graduate education as described for the GS-06 grade level that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of the position may be used to qualify for this position.For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. 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.
You will be rated on the following Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other characteristics (KSAOs) as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
1. Knowledge of aseptic techniques and procedures.
2. Ability to deconstruct and sterilize medical equipment.
3. Knowledge of technical, trade, and colloquial terms for equipment and instruments.
4. Skill in performing day to day tasks independently.
5. Skill in documenting and tracking data electronically and in writing.Veteran's Preference: When applying for Federal jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of DD-214(s) showing all dates of service as well as character of service (honorable, general, etc.). Additionally, veterans with service-connected disability of 10% or more must also submit a copy of their official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying their service-connected disability and/or their receipt of compensation for service-connected disability. If the military member is within 120 days of separation and does not yet have a DD214, the member may instead submit any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed.
Veterans with service-connected disability of less than 10%, non service-connected disability, and Purple Heart recipients, as-well-as those claiming derived preference for a spouse, widow or widower, or natural mother, should refer to and submit a completed " SF15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," (go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf) and required documentation with your application materials. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/veterans.aspx.
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