Summary The incumbent serves as Medical Supply Technician (MST) Trainer, Sterile Processing Service (SPS) for the Lexington VA Health Care System, VISN 9, Lexington, KY, Bowling Campus. The incumbent is a subject matter expert in a wide variety of duties, including the manual and automated cleaning, decontamination, high-level-disinfection, and sterilization processes associated with critical and semi-critical Reusable Medical Devices (RMD). Responsibilities The primary responsibility of the incumbent is to conduct initial and reoccurring training through completion of competency assessment on SPS staff members. Additional primary responsibilities will include orientating newly hired MSTs, developing and maintaining education program, developing, and maintaining training/competency assessment program, A secondary responsibility of the position requires collaborating with the RMD coordinator in the reviewing and revising of existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the reprocessing of RMD. The MST Trainer (Educator) is responsible for developing formal and informal written plans for the SPS training and education programs, in compliance with accreditation organizations and VHA-specific requirements as well as medical center policies and procedures for SPS and related staff. Facilitates training and education of SPS staff through the developed programs and job specific instruction. Improves SPS processes by facilitating the application for new technology of reusable medical devices by training and educating all new and existing staff. Develops, monitors, and revises SPS training educational programs for both new and existing staff. Documents and assesses staff's training and education, to identify areas of strengths and needs for improvement. Develops training and education plans derived from (literature reviews, continuing education, in-services, certification and/or formal education) to maintain and improve knowledge in all specialized areas that involve the reprocessing reusable medical devices. Participates in tracking, trending, and analyzing of training and 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. Training Provides initial orientation and serves as a mentor to newly hired SPS MSTs. Conducts training episodes on departmental SOPs and completes associated competency assessments on newly hired SPS MSTs within the targeted orientation timeframe. Maintains completed orientation and competency records of newly hired SPS MSTs. Develops and maintains a training plan for established SPS MSTs to ensure that competency assessments are renewed in accordance with frequency identified within the SPS risk assessment. Conducts training episodes on departmental SOPs and completes associated competency assessments on established employees. Maintains completed competency assessment records on established employees. Education Assigns and maintains records for SPS Level 1 TMS training module completion of newly hired MSTs. Develops, monitors, and revises the annual SPS continuing education program for transportation, manual & automated cleaning, decontamination, high-level-disinfection, preparation/assembly, sterilization, distribution, and storage of RMD. Conducts and maintains records of annual continuing education for newly hired and established SPS MSTs. Develops and provides education to SPS staff to fully comply with provisions of VHA directives, safety regulations, and infection control procedures/principles. Coordinates with SPS management in the scheduling vendor in-services. Coordinates with SPS management in researching and scheduling SPS staff to attend internal/external education conferences that promote professional development. Secondary Duties Collaborates with RMD coordinator on reviewing and revising existing SOPs/competency assessments. Collaborates with RMD coordinator and SPS management regarding the need for providing training and/or education to end-users. Evaluates the employee compliance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). This includes posting and maintaining current documents of SOP, Competencies, and Information for Use (IFU) documents on a regular basis. Participates and assists in external and internal surveys/inspections of the SPS department. Collaborates with SPS management on the development of corrective actions identified in surveys/inspections that related to training and education. Collaborates with SPS management on the development of corrective actions identified surveys/inspections that related to training and education. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 10:00am-6:30pm. No On-Call Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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) (Note: A transcript must be submitted with your application). 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 GS-07: 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 Reusable Medical Equipment (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. Endoscope experience Required. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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 merge 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/83, Part II, Appendix G47, Medical Supply Technician Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Preferred Experience: Experience in sterile processing environment, 2 years or more preferred. Experience in education preferred. Physical Requirements: This work is performed in various settings: decontamination, preparation & packaging, clean/sterile supply, and in other services and departments throughout the medical facility/campus. The incumbent may be required to work in areas that are hot, cold, drafty, and poorly lighted. The employee is subject to the possibility of falls, scrapes, cuts, bruises, and other injuries from reprocessing equipment. The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday. Additionally, frequent bending and lifting of packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulation, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. Work Environment: On a regular and recurring basis, the employee alternates between the controlled access areas which include contaminated and sterile/clean environments. The employee is required to wear facility issued scrubs in conjunction with applicable PPE as required by the specific area which includes but is not limited to hair & shoe covers, gowns, gloves, face shields, and safety glasses that can be uncomfortably warm. The employee is subject to burns from accidentally touching hot items and the hazards of working around minute quantities of sterilizing gasses. The employee can be exposed to hazardous chemicals and vapors. The employee can be exposed to slips, trips, and falls related to wet environments. 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 devices. The work area is noisy due to the clatter of metal instruments, rumbling of carts and operation of reprocessing equipment. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/. Additional Information 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.