Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens. NOTE: Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference to ALL external applicants for this job announcement.

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NOTE: This announcement involves several duty locations. The salary listed in the announcement represents the minimum and maximum range possible. Actual locality pay will be determined at the time of selection based on the duty location of the position.
Locations include: Fayetteville, AR; Pittsburgh, PA; St. Louis, MO; Wilkes Barre, PA
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives are not authorized.

The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements.

This is a developmental position leading to a GS-06, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. You will ultimately acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-06. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.

The trainee rotates among the various reprocessing areas, which may entail case cart assembly, instruments, and equipment reprocessing.

Duties include:

• Periodically monitors operation of sterilizer with prescribed tests.
• Disassembles, cleans, lubricates, reassembles, and sterilizes medical, dental and surgical instruments, and reusable medical devices.
• Properly loads and operates sterilizers such as Steam, and hydrogen peroxide gas plasma.
• Selects correct sterilization method for items to be sterilized.
• Monitors performance of sterilizers for quality control by conducting bacteriological tests (bacillus stearothermophilus spores for evaluation of steam and bacillus subtillis for evaluation of hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilizers).
• Properly documents load contents on sterilization records.
• Receives periodic training in such areas as the use and functioning of new medical, dental and surgical instruments, and reusable medical devices.
• Adheres to all relevant sterile processing policies and procedures including standard operating procedures and manufacture instructions for (MIFU). Holds and maintains appropriate technical competency.

Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Training-Service Agreement and Mobility Agreement required.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

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.
• 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, this part.

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, have been employed since July 8, 2015, and meet the criteria).

AND

Grade Determinations:

GS-05 (Developmental Level) Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; OR

Education: Four academic years above high school leading to a Bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation or a Bachelor's degree.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. (KSAs must be clearly annotated on your resume) In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
2. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regard to sterility.
3. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.

Assignment: This is a developmental level MST position. Removes soil, blood, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other containments by wiping, soaking, rinsing, and scrubbing. Inspects packages for indications of proper sterilization, assembles basic sets and trays used throughout the medical center including those used in the operating room. Prepares, loads, and operates sterilizers such as steam and low temperature sterilization, and a high level disinfecting scope reprocessor; prepares operating room case carts daily using surgery schedule. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005/83 Part II Appendix G47 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standard GS-0622.

Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings throughout the facility, to include but not limited to decontamination, endoscope reprocessing, high-level disinfection, preparation (inspection, assembly, packaging, sterilization) and sterile storage. The trainee may be required to work in a multitude of temperature variants. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday, with frequent bending, lifting of instrumentation. May require the ability to deliver loaded transport carts to the point of use. May require the ability to operate equipment, such as cart transport assist devices. The work requires dexterity and visual acuity, including the ability to differentiate color for interpretation of quality assurance tests, manipulating, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation.
On a regular and recurring basis, the trainee will be asked to rotate between carefully controlled clean environments and the contaminated area of decontamination. The trainee wears personal protective equipment, as appropriate for their area. This may include, but not limited to; hospital provided surgical attire, hair covers, beard covers, and appropriate shoe coverings. The trainee may be exposed to hazardous materials and loud noises within work areas.
The trainee may be exposed to chemicals and chemical/ sterilant fumes, blood-borne pathogens, varied temperature and humidity levels, slip/trip/fall conditions related to wet environments, and sharp items.

The trainee often works around body fluids, mucus, excretions, and bits of tissue, some of which may be foul smelling. Strong, unpleasant odors are encountered while disinfecting instruments, RME, and work surfaces.

How you will be evaluated

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.