Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Must be US Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3g.) English Language Proficiency
• MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, of VA Handbook 5005
• 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 Experience/Education Combination
• Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable
• Certification
• None required
• 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).Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.GS-06 (Full Performance Level) Specialized Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) which includes: Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings
• Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regard to sterility
• Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment
• This experience must be demonstrated in detail on applicant's resume
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position
• Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training
• otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim
• If selected, you may be required to submit narrative responses then
• These are the KSA's for this position and grade level that must be demonstrated on applicant's resume: Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings
• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination
• Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures
• Knowledge of sterility principles in regard to instrumentation
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures
• Preferred Experience: Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work
• Knowledge of all areas with sterile processing to include decontamination, preparation and assembly, sterilization, endoscope reprocessing, sterile storage and distribution
• Knowledge of sterility principles of decontamination and high-level disinfection
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• Physical Requirements: The Physical Requirements for the position require heavy lifting (45 pounds and over)
• heavy carrying (45 pounds and over)
• Use of fingers and both hands
• straight pulling (8 hours)
• pushing (8 hours)
• walking (8 hours)
• standing (8 hours)
• Kneeling (8 hours)
• repeated bending (8 hours)
• both legs required
• working outside and inside
• excessive heat
• excessive humidity
• excessive noise, intermittent
• constant noise
• solvents (degreasing agents)
• Slippery or uneven walking surfaces
• working around machinery with moving parts
• working around moving objects or vehicles
• working with hands in water
• working closely with others
• near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• depth perception and the ability to distinguish basic colors
• ability to distinguish shades of colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• operation of transport equipment
• working alone
• protracted or irregular hours of work
• unusual fatigue factors (Repetitive motions).