Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Lead Medical Supply Technician (MST) serves as a key operational leader within collaboration with the Chief and Assistant Chief Lead MST ensures safe compliant and efficient processing of reusable medical devices (RMD) and fosters a positive highly functioning team environment that supports exceptional care across the Marion VA Healthcare System.

Duties of the position include:

• Oversee and coordinate the end-to-end SPS workflow including decontamination assembly sterilization and distribution of surgical instruments and equipment.
• Ensure accurate timely documentation for all processing steps and instrument movements.
• Assist with daily scheduling case prioritization and assignment of work to meet clinical demand.
• Monitor and enforce adherence to infection prevention standards manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFUs) regulatory requirements and VHA directives.
• Identify and address barriers to compliance escalating issues promptly as needed.
• Serve as a subject matter resource for complex instrument sets specialty trays and advanced equipment.
• Provide hands-on guidance to staff on IFU interpretation and application troubleshooting and best practices.
• Lead quality assurance activities including audits defect tracking and trend analysis to proactively identify risks.
• Implement corrective actions and verify resolution before instruments reach the end user.
• Partners with Nursing Services Logistics Biomedical Engineering Facilities Management and Environmental Management to coordinate care and rapidly resolve SPS-related issues.
• Maintain effective communication channels and service-level expectations with stakeholders.
• Manage inventory levels and tracking of sterile supplies to support uninterrupted clinical operations.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for the instrument tracking system ensuring data integrity user compliance and effective utilization.
• Model professionalism respect and teamwork; contribute to a collaborative psychologically safe work environment.
• Lead and participate in performance improvement initiatives to advance SPS growth reliability and service excellence.
• Perform other duties within the scope of training and practice supporting organizational goals and mission.

• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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.

• 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.

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. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicants ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work.
• 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.
• Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable.
• Certification. None

• 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. Ability to instruct staff on the correct procedures and protocols for completing assignments.
  2. Skill in communicating with staff to ensure compliance with written directives rules and regulations.
  3. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees team leaders and managers.
  4. Knowledge of sterility principles in order to instruct staff on decontamination procedures.
  5. Ability to lead individuals manage priorities and schedule work assignments.

• Five years sterile processing experience
• Preferred leadership experience
• Healthcare Sterile Processing Association or alternative Sterile Processing Service certification