DME Technician

Summary The Medical Supply Technician-Trainer is a subject matter expert in a wide variety of duties, including the manual and automated cleaning, decontamination, high level-disinfection, and sterilization processes associated with critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME). The primary responsibility of the incumbent is to conduct initial and reoccurring training through completion of competency assessment for SPS staff members. Responsibilities TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, YOU MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE, OR YOU WILL RECEIVE AN ELECTRONIC NOTICE THAT YOU ARE RATED INELIGIBLE. SEE QUALIFICATIONS SECTION AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SECTION FOR DETAILS. KSAs MUST BE DEMONSTRATED IN YOUR RESUME. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT AND REFER BACK TO IT OFTEN WHEN WRITING YOUR RESUME. Duties include but are not limited to: Collaborates with the RME coordinator in the reviewing and revising of existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the reprocessing of RME. Provides initial orientation and serves as a mentor to newly hired SPS MSTs. Develops and maintains education program and the training/competency assessment program. Conducts training episodes on departmental SOPs and completes associated competency assessments on newly hired SPS MSTs within the targeted orientation timeframe. Maintains completed orientation and competency records of newly hired SPS MSTs. Develops and maintains a training plan for established SPS MSTs to ensure that competency assessments are renewed in accordance with frequency identified within the SPS risk assessment. Develops, monitors, and revises the annual SPS continuing education program for transportation, manual & automated cleaning, decontamination, high level-disinfection, preparation/assembly, sterilization, distribution, and storage of RME. Develops and provides education to SPS staff to fully comply with provisions of VHA directives, safety regulations, and infection control procedures/principles. Coordinates with SPS management in the scheduling vendor in-services. Collaborates with RME coordinator and SPS management regarding the need for providing training and/or education to end-users. Participates and assists in external and internal surveys/inspections of the SPS department. Collaborates with SPS management on the development of corrective actions identified surveys/inspections that related to training and education. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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: (1) Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; OR: (2) 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: (3) 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. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-07 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) – Trainer Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6, demonstrating 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; and knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (THE FOLLOWING KSAs MUST BE CLEARLY REFLECTED IN RESUME UNDER YOUR DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES IN ORDER TO BE FOUND QUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITIN/GRADE LEVEL): 1. Knowledge of SPS and Infection Prevention regulations. 2. Knowledge of procedures and/or operations in training developed for, and operations of SPS functions for both new and existing staff. 3. Ability to manage integrated training programs as it relates to sterile processing procedures. 4. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel or other software programs in order to complete reports and develop skills. 5. Ability to communicate effectively with staff and management officials in regards to sterile processing procedures. Preferred Experience: BLS certified; 1-2 years SPS experience. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/76 PART II APPENDIX G47 This position is announced above the full performance level at the GS-7 grade level. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, such as, standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting medical supply items weighing more than 25 pounds, pushing medical supply carts weighing up to several hundred pounds, and frequent bending and stretching. The work requires dexterity in such tasks as inserting small rods in needle openings or precisely aligning component parts while reassembling medical equipment. On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled cleaned environment. In both, the employees wear special clothing which can be uncomfortably warm. While handling contaminated medical supplies the employee also uses rubber gloves and an apron. The work area is often hot and humid. The employee is subject to slipping on wet floors. The employee often works around body fluids, mucous, excretions, and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling, strong and unpleasant odors are encountered while sterilizing laboratory cultures prior to disposal. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts, and operation of pre-sterilizing equipment. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: 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. For further information, visit: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee’s credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), if after November 22. VA will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation is needed and how you can request a legally required exception from this requirement. Please contact the Human Resources Point of Contact listed at the top of the JOA.
Associated topics: blood collection, laboratory, medical lab science, microbiology, sterile processing technician, surgical technologist, technician i, technician ii, technician lab, testing