Details
Posted: 28-May-22
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 656966600
The primary purpose of this position is to provide leadership for SPS staff to independently exercise the full range of duties required to decontaminate, clean, disinfect, sterilize, process, and prepare critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment. This equipment is utilized by in-patient and out-patient areas to include surgical operating rooms, clinics, intensive care units and Community Based Out Patient clinics. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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. One year of combined experience and education. 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. Preferred Experience/Qualifications: VA Level II Certified Registered Medical Supply Technician Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, candidates must meet the following grade requirements. GS-7 (Lead) Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing): Must have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). Examples of equivalent experience may include but not limited to: knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings, knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination, working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures, knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation, and ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Assembling highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to , open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation; processing complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room; reviewing manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. Receives contaminated critical 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 In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): 1. Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments. 2. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure 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. Assignment. The Lead MST works in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team. Distributes and prioritizes workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations. Assures an even workflow and distribution of the workload. Revises work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload. Assigns work to staff based on experience and training needs. Monitors and reports on the status of work. Ensures SOPs and SPS mandates are followed during the performance of workflow. Reviews work in progress or spot checks work not requiring review to ensure completed work meets supervisors' instructions on such things as work sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines. Assesses the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of technical 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/83 PART II, APPENDIX G47, MEDICAL SUPPLY TECHNICIAN (STERILE PROCESSING) QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-622, DATED JULY 8, 2015. The full performance level of this vacancy is 7. ["Major Duties: Responsible for the lead duties in the Sterile Processing Service, providing technical and lead responsibilities, directs and leads SPS personnel and communicates effectively to ensure user unit needs are met on a consistent basis, balances the workload among employees in accordance with established work flow or job specialization, assures timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, monitors and reports the status and progress of work and adjusts workload according to established priorities, maintains current knowledge of policies, directives, IAHCSMM guidelines as well as knowledge of AAMI and AORN Standards. Directs the cleaning priorities of contaminated reusable medical equipment from wards, operating rooms, and clinics and ensures staff inspects these items for damage and that they are in good working condition, is a resource for Medical Supply Technicians in the loading and operation of sterilizers such as Steam, Vaporized hydrogen peroxide and high-level disinfecting process as well as reprocessing of endoscopes. Responsible for the surgical schedule for instrumentation needs for the next day surgical schedule, and is responsible to ensure that staff follows first in, first-out basis for rotation of stock. Will lead the following FTEE: Medical Supply Technicians, GS -0622- 06, 05, 04, and 03 Organizes workload/flow and provide detailed direction to Medical Supply Technicians to accomplish timely and complete functions within the service and manage the assignment of duty stations for Medical Supply Technicians to rotate among the various reprocessing areas on a weekly basis. Will accommodate special and emergent requirements through consultation and coordination with medical/surgical professional staff. The incumbent assists the Assistant Chief of Sterile Processing as Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the proper use, cleaning, and sterilization of RME and any problems that may arise, assigns/monitors the Medical Supply Technicians as they complete, document and maintain records for out-of-date monitors, cleaning schedules, nonbiological implants monitors, verify sterilization monitors for SPS, etc. Acts as a liaison and SME for SPS to all services to assure their RME needs are met, will inform the Assistant Chief of SPS of any instrumentation needed for set completeness of sets and the requesting of supplies used within the decontamination, prep and GI areas of SPS, and will assist with SOP management for current and new equipment, to include preparing, reviewing, and providing education to staff. Will assist with Quality Control Audits within the Sterile Processing, will service and assist the Assistant Chief with the preparation of monthly reports based on QM activities, which include the monitoring of the performance of sterilizers for quality control and the documentation bacteriological tests (bacillus stearothermophilus spores for evaluation of steam and vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilizers, ensures that procedures for the decontamination of medical instruments and equipment as outlined in VHA Directive 1116 and AAMI Standards are adhered to at all times, including use of personal protective attire, and ensures that new and/or clean medical supplies, instruments and equipment have been inspected and are in good working order prior to sterilization or re-issue to patient care areas. Receives contaminated critical 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, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. Ensures that bio-burden testing is conducted on all endoscopes, both rigid and flexible after manual cleaning is completed. Performs daily spore testing and sterilizer control measures as it relates to quality assurance principles of sterilization and elimination of cross contamination and determines whether items are free of microorganisms. Monitors and interprets biological challenges processed for each sterilization cycle. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM; occasional weekend with on-call\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]