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Provides decontamination, preparation, and sterilization of Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) in addition to distribution support for the medical center. The term "Reusable Medical Devices" (RMD) as used here refers to reusable items for patient care including instrumentation (scissors, forceps, retractors, etc.), Advanced surgical trays, DaVinici Robotic Instrumentation, Advanced Endoscopic Equipment and various items that could be processed or assembled through Preparation and Decontamination. 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. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English 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 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. or Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. Certification. None. 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). All MSTs that are employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees grandfathered into the GS-622 occupational series as MSTs may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. (2) MSTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) MSTs who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-07 (Advanced Level) (a) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Detailed knowledge of complex surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings. 2. Ability to assemble specialty operating room and clinic instrument sets. 3. In-depth knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. 4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in order to convey information and thoughts to others. Assignment. The Advanced MST assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Processes all complex endoscopic instrumentation to include those medical devices used in the gastroenterology laboratory, bronchoscopy laboratory, urology and operating room. Reviews manufacturer guidelines to ensure the correct methods and parameters are followed when cleaning, decontaminating and sterilizing RME. Troubleshoots and analyzes mechanical failures and makes necessary adjustments to complex decontamination and sterilization equipment, as well as interprets alarm conditions which may occur while operating the equipment. Informs management and healthcare staff when cleaning and processing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or instruction for use have been changed or updated to assure the changes have been validated to meet all guidelines. Preferred Experience: reprocessing dental or endoscopes References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, Appendix G47 dated July 8, 2015. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07. 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, Needle Sticks, and other injuries from handling equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday and frequent bending and lifting of sterile products and packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. Use of both hands and legs is required. ["Duties include but not limited to the following: Conduct daily assessment of assigned area Retrieve soil Reusable Medical Devices (RMD) from operating rooms and outpatient surgical clinics to include Dental and all endoscopic equipment. Remove soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, brushing and scrubbing according to established Standard Operating Procedures and IFU. Completion Level 1Training modules in TMS within 90 days of employment and obtain Level 2 certification within the year. Completion service specific orientation and staff in-service program of Sterile processing. Must be competent in all areas of sterile processing (Decontamination, Prep and Assembly, Operating room and Endoscopy). Inspect packages for indications of proper sterilization. Assemble advanced surgical sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Prepare, load, and operate sterilizers such as steam, Sterrad. Knowledgeable in high level disinfecting (HLD) scope reprocessor such as the Medivator and Trophon. Instruct and orient lower level staff members to more complex tasks. Inventory instrument trays in Censitrac for accountability of all instruments. Ensure instrument cleanliness and completeness as appropriate and deemed ready for sterilization. Monitor instrument sets through the sterilization process using CensiTrac and QA monitors. Deliver reprocessed instrument trays to clinics and Operating Room Core in a timely manner. Work as part of team of technicians to improve the throughput of surgical instruments through SPS. Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RMD in the decontamination area and reprocess using standard operation procedures (SOP) and manufacture information for use(IFU). Disassembles the RMD 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, Steam, and/or high level disinfecting scope re-processors such as the Medivator. Performs and documents daily and weekly QA operational checks and records documentation for all sterilization and HLD equipment and processes. Assembles highly complex instrument sets including, but not limited to, open heart, major orthopedic total joint, cardiovascular, craniotomy, DaVinci Robotic Instrumentation and complex endoscopic instrumentation. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On call status 24/7 to include weekdays, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis of approximately every 8 weeks. Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: MST (ADVANCED) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required."]

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