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The position is within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) in the Sterile Processing Services (SPS), which organizationally reports directly to the Associate Director, Patient Care Services (ADPCS).
09/25/2024 to 10/04/2024
$40,193 - $73,153 per year
GS 3 - 6
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
No
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
None
No
Yes
No
CBSU-12559721-24-BAW
811406400
This position is open to All US citizens. *** If you ARE A CURRENT federal employee, please apply to vacancy CBSU-12559722-24-BAW open to current federal employees. ***
Decontamination, Manual Cleaning, and Sterilization:
1. Collects and receives all used, soiled reusable critical and semi-critical RMD, utilizing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and infection control procedures to prevent cross contamination of other equipment and personnel during the collection and transport of the soiled RMD.
2. Responsible for the systematic manual and automated cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of instrumentation and medical equipment according to strict manufacturer instructions.
3. Responsible for the proper disassembly of technical medical instrumentation and equipment, where internal parts may become contaminated, which requires dexterity, skill, careful positioning of parts, and the elimination of any bioburden.
4. Independently responsible for the proper operation of a variety of automated cleaning and disinfection equipment, to include washer/disinfector, ultrasonic machines, automated endoscope reprocessors, and electrical conductivity testing devices.
5. During instrument tray assembly, technician is responsible for determining proper instrument selection, instrument function/operation, need for instrument protection, and arrangement of items to ensure effective penetration of the sterilant. Some instruments, due to size, delicacy, sharpness, and/or cost, require specialized handling and additional protective actions to ensure they are not damaged.
6. Independently determines proper packaging method, based upon size, number and weight of the assembled items, and labels these items appropriately.
7. Determines appropriate method of sterilization and attaches chemical indicator tape to package.
8. Sterilizes items comparing control tests to determine that correct parameters (e.g., time, temperature, and pressure) were obtained.
9. Removes items from washer sterilizers and determines type of tray or set to assemble based on recognition of key items and the operating room or clinic schedules.
10. Examines items to ensure that gross contamination has been removed.
11. Assembles sets and trays by selecting appropriate tray, lining it with a towel, and arranging instruments in the tray in the correct manner.
12. Strives for a logically arranged package that will permit effective penetration of the sterilizing medium.
13. Places devices in the tray, selects correct wrapping for the tray, and wraps and labels tray.
14. Selects correct sterilizing medium and cycles and operates sterilizer.
15. Monitors operation of sterilizer with prescribed tests.
16. Oversees the work of lower grade employees in prep and decontamination areas.
Quality Assurance:
17. Responsible for thorough inspection for cleanliness, damage, deterioration, or imperfections such as rust, pitting and cracks that could affect the quality of patient care.
18. Responsible for ensuring that the items function properly and must be knowledgeable of the purpose and proper usage of medical instrumentation. Performing manual quality testing on endoscopes and instrumentation.
19. Responsible for ensuring that quality assurance testing for the effectiveness of the equipment operation is completed and documented to include mechanical, chemical, and biological monitoring.
20. Conforms to and ensures that all safety and infection control rules, regulations, and requirements (e.g., dress code and traffic control procedures) in both the decontamination and preparation areas are followed by all personnel working in, or entering, the work area.
21. Completes Quality feedback and JPSR as indicated by circumstances.
Distribution:
22. Distributes items according to established requirements, special requests or as requisitioned.
23. Fills requests for items based on daily schedules of needs or on individual requisitions.
24. Pulls consumable items and instrument sets according to OR preference cards in the OR.
25. Consults with customers on items in short supply or out of stock, recommending possible substitutions.
26. Sends requested items to wards and clinics via cart delivery systems.
27. Periodically inventories stock.
28.Maintains records on stock levels and recommends revisions in stock levels as the need for supplies changes.
Inventory Management:
29. Stores items in accordance with inventory system and storage guidelines.
30. Assists with inventory of RME and sterile supplies.
31. Assembles and loads operating room carts according to schedules and fills special and emergency requests for items.
32. Inspects inventories and checks in sets, equipment, and trays from medical vendors.
Work Schedule: Variable
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: GS-3 554-56357-A, GS-4 554-56358-A, GS-5 554-56359-A, GS-6 554-56360-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for 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; religions; 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.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/04/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12559721.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/811406400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
Interested in a career that offers a balance of work and family life? Look no further! The VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) offers a balance of professional and clinical complexity that stimulates growth yet also allows the professional an opportunity to enjoy life outside of work. If you are interested in a career that offers an integrated patient-centered approach while providing compassionate and state of the art care to Veterans, we welcome you to apply. By serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans, we fulfill President Lincoln's promise, "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan."
The new, state of the art campus is in Aurora, CO, just east of Denver. The city's central location makes it ideal for accessing the surrounding mountain ranges for outdoor activities or enjoying the rich art and cultural diversity of the area. Denver Metro offers a perfect mix of social activity, modern businesses, and family life making it an ideal location to start a career, raise a family, or ease into retirement.
ECHCS offers a teaching hospital with state-of-the-art technology, education, and research, making it an ideal career choice for many clinical and administrative professionals. The facility has numerous specialized programs in addition to the comprehensive health care provided to our Veterans.
