Summary:
This position is located in the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) section located under the Associate Director of Patient Care services of the Hudson Valley VA Medical Center.
Requirements:
- 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.
- 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- 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).
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Major Duties:
- Responsible for carrying out compliance with manufacturer recommendations for cleaning, preparation, sterilization and storage of RME.
- Receives, disassembles, and inspects reusable medical supplies and equipment for damage.
- Assembles and loads case carts.
- Receives periodic training in such areas as the use and functioning of new equipment, instruments; new or improved sterilization practices, and developments in new technology as if affects SPS operations.
- Monitors operation of sterilizers with prescribed tests in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and documents appropriately.
- Prepare bacteriological spore tests and reads the results of the test, recording those results as appropriate.
- Receive sterilized trays, set, and equipment from the sterilizer, checks for effectiveness of sterilization, places tags on sterilized material indicating date of sterilization and expiration date, and stocks shelves with sterilized material using first in first out method.
- Out take all sterile items that are leaving the department by reconciling the inventory sheets that have been uploaded into the e-QMS (electronic quality monitoring system). Out take areas include, all user services and sterile storage.
- Decontaminate the full range of reusable medical equipment used in the medical center's patient care units, clinics and procedure rooms. Determines and uses the appropriate method for removing gross contamination and bioburden, dissembles and reassembles equipment where the internal parts become contaminated by following manufacturer guidelines for cleaning. Operates various kinds of equipment such as ultrasonic cleaners, washers, dental handpiece service units, leak testers, sterilizers, AER's, Steris, and Sterrad.
- Determine the correct method for pre-cleaning and decontamination. Removes soil, blood, bone, tissue fragments, body fluids, and other gross contaminants by wiping, soaking, rinsing, scrubbing, brushing and the use of ultrasonic equipment.
- Load, unload and operate Instrument washer disinfector and ultrasonic washer, accurately determining the settings based on the manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU) and the high-risk protocols for each device.
- Responsible for the cleaning, leak testing, decontamination and selection of proper method of sterilization and/or high-level disinfection for flexible and rigid endoscopes in accordance with the manufacturer guidelines.
- Utilize the e-QMS (electronic quality monitoring system) to scan and upload inventory sheets that accompany RME being brought to the decontamination room. The incumbent inventories items received to ensure compliance of receiving complete surgical trays and cassettes and individual devices.
- Enter all non-conformities and requirements not met into the e-QMS (electronic quality monitoring system).
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 10:00a-06:30p
Qualifications:
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.
Certification. None.
GS-06 (Full Performance Level) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
2. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
3. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures.
4. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.
5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
Assignment. This is the full performance level for the occupation. 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 final processing such as but not limited to steam or hydrogen peroxide (H202) sterilization or high-level disinfecting. Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.
Pay: $57,632.00 - $74,921.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Family leave
- Flexible spending account
- Free parking
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
