| Medical Supply Technicians in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) receive contaminated critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME) in the decontamination area and may receive noncritical equipment. These positions will be utilized at the VHAWNYHCS - Buffalo and Batavia Campuses. The incumbent(s) provide service for all the Medical Center care areas, including related outpatient services. Incumbent(s) must be well versed in the processing and distribution of supplies and equipment utilized by all areas. Incumbent(s) perform all duties involving aseptic processing in the Processing and Decontamination Section. This work involves preparation, storage and dispatch of medical supplies and equipment used by all patient care and treatment entities of an active General Medical & Surgical teaching hospital. Duties are grouped according to their aseptic or clean tasks. Work is assigned as with either contaminated, clean or aseptically clean as the latter applies to material handling of sterile items. This requires rotation among the various medical supply operations in the Medical Center. The incumbent(s) support the need of OR preparing instruments and complete procedure trays of utilization according to the next day's operative schedule. Incumbent(s) must be able to identify damaged and malfunctioning instruments, reassembling multi-part or complex sets, inspecting them for gross contamination, properly placing instruments in the set according to the pick for specific tray. Employee must understand priorities from both a time and event related perspective as this would affect the surgical patient's welfare. This requires constant attention to all details and integration with the OR staff to effectively respond to their emergent and elective surgical needs. The work involves the provision of sterile instrumentation to the OR, in house clinics and off-site regional VA CBOCs. Decontamination - Incumbent(s) receive and collect all soiled RME from OR, GI and clinics. Incumbent(s) identify, inspect for damage and systematically segregates by soaking, flushing, scrubbing, rinsing, and use of ultrasonic equipment, by use of mechanical instrument washers and by use of AERs for HLD of endo scopes. RME can also consist of handheld instruments, delicate instruments, lumen instruments, power, batteries, cords, metal implants, and robotic instruments. Preparation - Incumbent(s) receive from decontamination all supplies and equipment for sterilization and assembly. Incumbent(s) must have an understanding of the relationship of microbiology to disease, know basic principles of sterilization (Steam/Low Temp H2O2) and have a thorough knowledge of and ability to apply these methods for processing supplies and equipment. Incumbent(s) are required to assemble and position items carefully on sterilizer carrier, so the complete penetration of the sterilizing agent is possible. Incumbent(s) select correct sterilizing method, cycles and operates sterilizer. Incumbent(s) must watch gauges on all sterilizers and report deviations. Incumbent(s) are responsible for checking effectiveness of the sterilizer by ensuring color changes on marker tapes and spore tests in addition to checking for excessive wetness of packages. Responsible for identifying, labeling, dating and application of control numbers and outdated for all trays and processed equipment. When called upon Incumbent(s) advise medical personnel on availability of supplies, possible substitutions and effective use of equipment. Incumbent(s) are responsible for daily storage inventory and issuance of supplies and equipment to designated areas. Responsible for inspection and examination of storage areas for outdated supplies and ensures removal for reprocessing. Incumbent(s) must complete the SPD Level I training program over a 8 week time frame and receive a passing grade of 80% in each end of chapter test. Incumbent will be allowed to take the den of chapter tests as many times as necessary for satisfactory completion. Incumbent receives periodic training by videos, inservices, lectures, etc. in the use and functioning of new medical supplies, instruments, and equipment, new or improved sterilization practices, developments in microbiology, bacteriology and therapeutic practices as they affect the sterile supply operation. Disassembles RME and determines the correct cleaning method, such as, but not limited to, ultrasonic cleaners, mechanical washer-disinfectors, cart washer 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, low temperature, and high-level disinfecting (HLD) endo scope re-processors. (AER's). Performs and documents daily operational checks and records for all processes and equipment. Other duties may be assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 3:00pm to 11:30pm Financial Disclosure Report: Not required |
