Summary

The Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) functions as a first-level supervisor responsible for the oversight of a group of MSTs - with administrative responsibility for planning and directing the work. Provides technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the organizational unit.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - paragraph 3g
• 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
• Grandfathering Provision
• 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)
• 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
• Grade Determinations GS-08 Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to manage - interact and deal with individuals of varying backgrounds
• Ability to direct staff and manage tasks to be completed
• Ability to oversee and supervise all aspects of decontamination - preparation - sterilization - monitoring - and distribution of RME
• 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
• Assignment
• The Supervisory MST functions as a first-level supervisor responsible for the oversight of a group of MSTs - with administrative responsibility for planning and directing the work
• Oversees attendance and leave - including approval of sick and annual leave and vacation schedules
• Informs higher level management of anticipated vacancies or increases in workload
• Recommends promotions - reassignments - recognition of superior performance - retention or release of probationary employees or other changes of assigned personnel
• Holds corrective interviews with employees - referring disciplinary problems to higher levels of management
• Resolves informal complaints of employees and deals with union representatives on personnel matters
• Provides technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the organizational unit
• 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 GS-08
• 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 Supervisory MST 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 equipment
• The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments - rumbling of carts and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment.

Duties

• Medical Supply Aide and Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Supply-Aide-Career-Flyer.pdf Duties of the Supervisory Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) include but are not limited to: Supervises Lead Technicians (GS-8) - Medical Supply Technicians-Advanced (GS-7) and Medical Supply Technicians/Developmental and Full Performance Level (GS-3 -4 -5 -6)
• Develops duty assignments based on staffing levels - workload and priorities within the department
• Reviews subordinates work to adjust assignments and to evaluate learning needs
• If learning needs are identified - they will be communicated to the SPS Educator
• Evaluates employee performance and behavior - and if deficient - will initiate appropriate corrective and disciplinary actions
• Recommends staffing and shift changes as needed to the Assistant Chief of SPS and/or the Chief of SPS
• Develops monthly staffing schedules - approve leave - and maintain attendance records (shift reports)
• Coordinates all operations - priorities and procedures on a daily basis within the Sterile Processing Department
• Resolves informal customer complaints and follow up as necessary
• Addresses - investigates and resolves employee problems and complaints - provide instruction - guidance and direction to the SPS staff under his/her direct supervision
• Work Schedule: 11:30pm - 8:00am
• All shifts have rotating weekends and holidays
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 92449-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized