Lead Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)

Summary

The Lead Medical Supply Technician (Lead MST) works at the Fresno VA Medical Center in support of the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) management team within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Duties

The Lead MST distributes and prioritizes workload among employees based on established workflow and job specialization, ensuring an even distribution of tasks and revising schedules as needed to address anticipated and unanticipated changes. Work is assigned according to employee experience and training needs, and progress is monitored and reported to management. The Lead MST ensures compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and SPS mandates, reviewing or spot-checking completed work to confirm adherence to proper sequence, procedures, methods, and deadlines. Duties include but are not limited to: FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE Leads a unit or team of employees performing work at the GS-6 level or below, providing guidance and technical directions to accomplish the unit's work. Ensures work assignments of employees in the unit or team are carried out. Collaborate with the Chief and Assistant Chief, SPS, to assign functions to team members in order to meet routine and unusual deadlines and priorities. Distributes and balances workload and tasks among employees according to established workflow, job specialization, and individual capabilities. Serves as a working Lead Technician, filling in and redistributing workload during personnel shortages or short-notice priorities to ensure smooth operations. Ensures timely accomplishment of assigned tasks and confirms that each employee has sufficient work to remain productive. Revises work schedules as necessary to accommodate anticipated and unanticipated changes in workload. Assign work to employees or employees to positions, breaking out tasks as needed to provide new employees with the experience and training required. Distributes work assignments equitably, including overtime and both desirable and undesirable tasks. Explains work requirements, methods, and procedures, providing special instructions for difficult or unusual operations and answering technical questions. Work Monitoring and Quality Oversight Monitors the status and progress of work, making day-to-day adjustments based on established priorities. Maintains current knowledge of procedures, policies, and directives, and answers related questions from other employees. Reviews work in progress and complete work to verify that supervisory instructions on priorities, methods, deadlines, and quality assurance have been met. Obtains guidance or information from supervisory staff regarding problems or backlogs that cannot be resolved promptly. Amends or rejects work that does not meet established standards. Refers questions, issues not covered by standards, or performance concerns to supervisory staff as appropriate. Checks the cleaning, reprocessing, and distribution of technical medical equipment, material, and instrumentation to assess the quality and quantity of work produced by each employee. Ensures items are safe to use, delivered on time to the proper location, and in the correct condition for VA patient care. Monitors working conditions, including seating, ventilation, lighting, and safety. Training and Employee Development Train or arrange training for team members in the accomplishment of tasks or projects. Provides on-the-job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices. Conducts and records competency assessments on individuals for the proper reprocessing of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME), using checklists established by supervisory staff and approved by Infection Control. Administrative and Supervisory Support Approves emergency leave for short durations or emergencies in the absence of supervisory staff. Inform employees of service policies, procedures, goals, and related changes as they affect unit operations. Reports to the supervisor on employee performance, progress, training needs, and behavioral concerns; communicates employee participation, suggestions, and feedback. Resolves simple, informal employee complaints and refers formal grievances or appeals to the supervisor or appropriate management official. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 3:00pm-11:30pm and on call as needed. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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. 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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-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.

Qualifications and evaluation

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.

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/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/16/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13111434. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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.