Medical Supply Technician - RME Coordinator

This position serves as a monitoring specialist for all Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) Coordinator activities of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS). The incumbent will have knowledge of the processes for REM as required by this position. Required to maintain current knowledge of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME appropriate to this position.

Major duties

Duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Provides oversight in the development, implementation, coordination, maintenance and evaluation of critical and semi-critical medical devices within the RME Program. Reviews the acquisition of new equipment and advises using services of anticipated delivery dates. Controls the release of any new equipment until verification of all SOPs have been developed and communicated to staff. This includes coordination across services and/or disciplines which can influence the organizational mission, vision, values and strategic priorities for RME. Monitors, analyzes and provides consultation on infection control issues regarding RME. Participates in clinical rounds to assist in the verification of each service's SOPs for RME. Investigates the need for any manufacturer and model-specific SOP required for new RME at the time of the acquisition request. When new SOPs are required, obtains the necessary information from the manufacturer or vendor. 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.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD91282-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

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. English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, this part. 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. Grandfather Provision. A Medical Supply Technician (MST) employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (May 28, 2014) 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.

Grade Determinations GS-07: Experience. Must have one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to:

• Receiving contaminated critical and semi-critical RME in the decontamination area;
• disassembling the RME and determining 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;
• inspecting, assembling and determining the correct method and packaging for sterilization such as but not limited to steam, Sterrad, Steris, ETO, and high level disinfecting scope reprocessors;
• performing and documenting daily operational checks and records for all sterilization equipment.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to interact with individuals of varying backgrounds to assess the needs of the department.
• Ability to coordinate work 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.

Assignment. The RME Coordinator provides oversight in the development, implementation, coordination, maintenance and evaluation of critical and semi-critical medical devices within the RME Program. Reviews the acquisition of new equipment and advises using services of anticipated delivery dates. Controls the release of any new equipment until verification of all SOPs have been developed and communicated to staff. This includes coordination across services and/or disciplines which can influence the organizational mission, vision, values and strategic priorities for RME. Monitors, analyzes and provides consultation on infection control issues regarding RME. Participates in clinical rounds to assist in the verification of each service's SOPs for RME. Investigates the need for any manufacturer and model-specific SOP required for new RME at the time of the acquisition request. When new SOPs are required, obtains the necessary information from the manufacturer or vendor. 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.

Preferred Experience: Sterile Processing Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 7.

Physical Requirements: 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.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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.