Medical Supply Technician-Sterile Processing
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto, CA, United States
Summary
Medical Supply Technician – Sterile Processing involves the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). The role may receive noncritical equipment. This is a developmental level for the occupation. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of RMD.
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
Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
Experience and/or Education: 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 healthcare‑related courses such as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, operating room and surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position; or experience/education combination equivalent to both.
Certification: None
English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
Grandfathering Provision: All MSTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held. If an employee did not meet all the basic requirements but met the qualifications applicable at appointment, provisions apply allowing reassignment or promotion within the occupation. Temporary appointments prior to the effective date cannot be extended or reappointed until basic requirements are fully met.
Grade Determinations
GS‑03 (Entry Level): No experience or education beyond the basic requirements. Assignment is entry‑level MST position requiring frequent and direct supervision.
GS‑04 (Developmental Level): Six months experience as an MST, operating room or surgical technician, or two years of education above high school with at least 12 semester hours in related courses; or alternative qualification through military or hospital training for up to 6 months of experience.
GS‑05 (Developmental Level): One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; or four academic years above high school leading to a Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 semester hours in related courses, or a Bachelor’s degree.
GS‑06 (Full Performance Level): One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross‑contamination.
Basic knowledge of medical terminology to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.
Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
Basic knowledge of event‑related packaging in regards to sterility.
Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment (for GS‑06 level).
Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures.
Knowledge of sterility principles in relation to instrumentation.
Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
Duties
Maintain knowledge of the process for reusable medical equipment (RME).
Maintain current Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) documenting the processes for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME.
Know which reusable instruments, equipment and supplies are used (inventory) in the clinical area.
Know which items are reprocessed locally (on unit) or sent to Sterile Processing for reprocessing or sterilization.
Be aware of the decontamination steps required before transporting items and the appropriate transport method.
Follow local SOPs drafted in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
Consult Sterile Processing and Infection Control for clarification of written instructions.
No reprocessing of reusable medical equipment should be based solely on vendor’s verbal instructions.
Have documented training in the setup, reprocessing and maintenance of specific equipment.
Validate competency according to national policy guidelines.
Suspend reuse of any RME if it is suspected not properly cleaned, disinfected or sterilized per SOP and manufacturer guidelines.
Do not reuse single‑use (disposable) medical devices.
Understand the importance of RME and the impact on veterans through the risk of infectious disease.
Work Schedule: various shifts; telework not eligible; not a virtual position.
References: Handbook 5005 – Part II – Appendix G47 – paragraph 2. For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
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Medical Supply Technician – Sterile Processing involves the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of reusable medical equipment (RME). The role may receive noncritical equipment. This is a developmental level for the occupation. MSTs receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex tasks and require direct supervision on new assignments. Performs segments of work pertaining to the decontamination, sterilization and inspection of RMD.
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
Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
Experience and/or Education: 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 healthcare‑related courses such as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, operating room and surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position; or experience/education combination equivalent to both.
Certification: None
English Language Proficiency: MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
Grandfathering Provision: All MSTs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held. If an employee did not meet all the basic requirements but met the qualifications applicable at appointment, provisions apply allowing reassignment or promotion within the occupation. Temporary appointments prior to the effective date cannot be extended or reappointed until basic requirements are fully met.
Grade Determinations
GS‑03 (Entry Level): No experience or education beyond the basic requirements. Assignment is entry‑level MST position requiring frequent and direct supervision.
GS‑04 (Developmental Level): Six months experience as an MST, operating room or surgical technician, or two years of education above high school with at least 12 semester hours in related courses; or alternative qualification through military or hospital training for up to 6 months of experience.
GS‑05 (Developmental Level): One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; or four academic years above high school leading to a Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 semester hours in related courses, or a Bachelor’s degree.
GS‑06 (Full Performance Level): One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross‑contamination.
Basic knowledge of medical terminology to assemble specialty operating room/clinic instrument sets.
Basic knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.
Basic knowledge of event‑related packaging in regards to sterility.
Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment (for GS‑06 level).
Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures.
Knowledge of sterility principles in relation to instrumentation.
Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures.
Duties
Maintain knowledge of the process for reusable medical equipment (RME).
Maintain current Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) documenting the processes for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME.
Know which reusable instruments, equipment and supplies are used (inventory) in the clinical area.
Know which items are reprocessed locally (on unit) or sent to Sterile Processing for reprocessing or sterilization.
Be aware of the decontamination steps required before transporting items and the appropriate transport method.
Follow local SOPs drafted in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
Consult Sterile Processing and Infection Control for clarification of written instructions.
No reprocessing of reusable medical equipment should be based solely on vendor’s verbal instructions.
Have documented training in the setup, reprocessing and maintenance of specific equipment.
Validate competency according to national policy guidelines.
Suspend reuse of any RME if it is suspected not properly cleaned, disinfected or sterilized per SOP and manufacturer guidelines.
Do not reuse single‑use (disposable) medical devices.
Understand the importance of RME and the impact on veterans through the risk of infectious disease.
Work Schedule: various shifts; telework not eligible; not a virtual position.
References: Handbook 5005 – Part II – Appendix G47 – paragraph 2. For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
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