Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

About the role

PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET.

The Miami VA Healthcare System's Sterile Processing Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Lead MST. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program.

What you will do

• The Lead GS-08 Medical Supply Technician (MST) provides guidance to employees performing work at the GS-7 Lead level or below.
• The incumbent ensures work assignments of employees in the unit or team are carried out and will provide sterilization, preparation, supply items and reusable medical equipment decontamination and distribution support for the medical center.
• Other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Working with the Supervisor, Sterile Processing Service (SPS), and/or Assistant Chief, SPS in the assignment of functions to team members in order to meet routine and unusual deadlines and priorities Leading and overseeing a work team including MST that is above full performance Distributing and prioritizing workload among employees in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations; assuring an even distribution of the workload Revising work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload Assigning tasks as necessary to provide new employees with the experience and training required to perform decontamination of scopes and instrumentation in the work area Monitoring and reporting on the status of work Ensuring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and SPS mandates are followed during the performance of workflow Reviewing or spot checking scope processing work to ensure completed work meets supervisors' instructions (e.g., work sequences, procedures, methods, and deadlines) Assessing the quality and quantity of work by reviewing the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of scope medical equipment, material and instrumentation Providing information to management officials concerning performance issues, assignment changes, and task completion Instructing employees on work-related activities, policies, procedures, and goals Ensuring timely accomplishment of assigned tasks and ensures that each employee has enough work to keep busy Assigning work to employees or assigns employees to position.
• Breaks out tasks as necessary to provide new employees with the experience and training required to perform the task Explaining work requirements, methods and procedures, as needed, giving special instructions on difficult or different operations and answering technical questions about the task Monitoring status and progress of work and making day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities Maintaining a current knowledge and answering questions of other employees relating to procedures, policies, and directives Training or arranging for the training of team members in the accomplishment of tasks or projects; giving on-the-job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices Obtaining assistance and/or needed information from the supervisory staff on problems that may arise or backlogs that cannot be disposed of promptly Referring questions or matters not covered by standards and problems in meeting performance standards to the supervisory staff Checking the cleaning, reprocessing and distribution of technical medical equipment, material and instrumentation as deemed appropriate to assess the quality and quantity of work produced by each employee Ensuring that items are safe to use, delivered on time at the proper place, and in the correct condition to be properly used for VA patient care Performing quality assurance inspections of instruments and equipment in the Sterile Preparation area of SPS prior to items being wrapped and sterilized Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 5:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., or 3:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.; Weekends and Holidays (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor.
• The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• 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, 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).
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one, or two-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.

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: ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• To complete your application, please use the following link *** to download the standard Clinical Resume Document.
• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
• NOTE: Incomplete packets will not be considered.
• Failure to submit the required documentation will make you ineligible for this position.
• The following documents are required from all applicants: Résumé/CV: For each job/position listed, you must include a job title, detailed duties, month and year for each start/end date, and if full-time or part-time status, include the number of hours worked each week.
• SF-50: All VA/Federal employees should submit a copy of their most recent SF-50 (NOT an award SF-50) that shows they are a current, permanent VA/Federal employee.
• VA employees may get their SF-50 directly from: ***
• Other Federal employees must contact their current HR Office for assistance accessing their eOPF/personnel folder.
• Responses to the questionnaire Transcript(s): Required: Must provide a copy of transcript(s) if using education to qualify for this position.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. 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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.