Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - RME Coordinator

Summary This position is a Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) Coordinator for Sterile Processing Service (SPS) for the Memphis VA Medical Center in Memphis, TN. The incumbent will provide oversight in the development, implementation, coordination, maintenance, and evaluation of critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment within the RME Program. Incumbent will also monitor quality assurance in the cleaning/decontamination, sterilization, reprocessing, and distribution of surgical instruments. Responsibilities This incumbent serves as the Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) Coordinator for Sterile Processing Service (SPS). This position provides leadership and assumes continuing responsibility for the development, implementation, coordination, maintenance, and evaluation of the RME Program. This includes integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities. This position will require oversight on the development and coordination of all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all medical equipment. This includes interpreting policies, defining requirements, and/or providing advice to SPS management on related issues. The incumbent serves as the technical expert and provides advisory services to staff in the medical center (including front line staff using RME, Supervisors, Service Chiefs, and Executive Management). Participates in the planning, directing, and implementation of RME within the medical center. This position requires a high level of experience with reprocessing of reusable medical equipment to effectively interpret manufacturer's Instructions For Use (IFU) and be able to determine 100% compliance is achievable when reviewing IFUs prior to purchase and when writing SOPs. Requires knowledge of all equipment used in Sterile Processing Service (SPS). This position requires high administrative level complexity, medical knowledge, and computer knowledge with Microsoft Applications. The incumbent will work with the Censitrac instrument tracking system. The incumbent monitors, analyzes, and provides consultation on infection control issues regarding RME. Participates in clinical audits to assist in the verification of each services SOPs for RME. These audits require leadership, experience, and knowledge of infection prevention principles, standards, and directives. Performs announced and unannounced RME audits coordinated by the incumbent where any critical or semi-critical RME is used/stored. Assures all users are following SOP/IFU and infection control principles for RME set up, use, pretreatment, transport, and storage. Communicates with the RME Champion of the clinic regarding any concerns. The incumbent will assist the SPS RME Educator and SPS Lead in conducting education opportunities for SOPs, competencies, and in-services. When a new SOP is required, the incumbent will obtain the necessary information from the manufacturer or vendor for cleaning and reprocessing. The incumbent will develops SOPs to standardize equipment used in the medical center. Educates hospital staff, including the executive level, on all new equipment to ensure compliance is met as it relates to RME. The incumbent will be an active voting member of the Reusable Medical Equipment Committee. Responsible for issuing SOP updates for internal panel review (RME Committee). Incumbent is responsible for annual RME risk analysis and managing the inventory list to ensure SOPs are accurate and up to date. The incumbent will also comply with all local, federal, state, and other requirements to include safety/fire prevention rules/regulations, waste/management principles, infection prevention activities, using protective equipment when required. Reviews Safety Data Sheets, promptly reports all accidents, and notifies supervisor of unsafe/unhealthful conditions in the workplace. Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in facility or service level safety premotions as directed by supervisor. Knows fire drill and emergency plan for work area, including location of al emergency equipment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 50843-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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 and/or Education: 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 (Note: A transcript must be submitted with your application). Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. (To calculate the percentage, divide the total months of qualifying experience by 6. Then divide the total number of completed semester of graduate education by 30. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify) English Language: 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 and meet the criteria). Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Required Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level: GS-06. Examples of experience includes: Receives contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment in the decontamination area as well. Disassembles the RME 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, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to interact with individuals of varying backgrounds in order to assess the needs of the department. Ability to coordinate work in order to complete duties in an accurate and timely fashion. Ability to interpret and apply sterile processing/infection prevention regulations and policies. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment. Ability to initiate and lead interdisciplinary groups in carrying out sterile processing functions. Note: You must provide detailed information of your experience performed. Information such as "I was a Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)" is insufficient to determine your qualifications. Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hour worked per week. 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-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 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 employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from material handling equipment. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for prolonged periods of time, frequent bending and stretching/reaching, walking, and pushing fully loaded carts navigating up inclines and over rises. There are frequent trips throughout the facility picking up soiled RME or delivering clean/sterile RME. 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 incumbent alternates between a contaminated environment and a carefully controlled clean environment. The incumbent follows established policy wearing special clothing, hair covers, personal protective equipment and shoe covers. Special insulated gloves and equipment are provided to prevent injuries. 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 equipment located in SPS Education There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level. Additional Information 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.