Medical Supply Technician-Trainer (Sterile Processing)

The Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing), in the Sterile Processing Services (SPS), under Nursing Services provides continuing responsibility for the development, implementation, coordination, maintenance, and evaluation of staff development and training. Work is to be completed within the Syracuse VAMC Sterile Processing Services, VAMC Endoscopy department, and internal and external SPS customer locations (VAMC internal clinics, CBOCs, and Dental Clinic).

**Qualifications:**
Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.) 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. 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. 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 English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. Grade Determinations: GS-07 Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) - Trainer (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. 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 Assignment. The MST Trainer is responsible for developing formal and informal written plans for the SPS training program, in compliance with accreditation organizations and VHA-specific requirements as well as medical center policies and procedures for SPS and related staff. Facilitates training of SPS staff through educational programs and job specific instruction. Improves SPS processes by facilitating the application for new technology of reusable medical devices by training all new and existing staff. Develops, monitors, and revises SPS educational programs for both new and existing staff. Documents and assesses staff's training, to identify areas of strength and need. Develops an education plan (literature review, continuing education, in-services, certification and/or formal education) to maintain and improve knowledge in specialized areas of processing reusable 9 medical devices. Participates in tracking, trending and analyzing education data. Identifies opportunities for improvement, makes recommendations and/or prepares reports based on findings. Develops and conducts the annual review of the SPS preceptor program. 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-7. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019. Depending on the assigned work, the employee may sit, stand, and/or move from one part of the room to another while performing duties throughout their assigned tour of duty. Employees move carts throughout the medical center full of resusable medical devices (RMD), sometimes in crowded quarters and over slight rises such as thresholds. There is a frequent requirement for lifting baskets/containers of stainless-steel instruments weighing 25 pounds and lifting packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). Bending, stretching, and reaching is frequently required. The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulating, disassembly, and assembly of RMD. Workdays can be lengthened without notice by emergency surgery instrumentation needs.