The Senior Supply Technician shall ensure supplies and materials are distributed to all areas and provide wards, clinics, operating rooms, secondary storage locations, and other hospital facilities with supplies and materials, including sterile and non-sterile medical supplies, instrument sets, and equipment.
Tasks include but are not limited to, scanning, barcoding, receiving, storing, and distributing medical and surgical supplies, instruments, and other materials, cleaning, and first-in, first-out rotation of expendable medical supplies and implants. The work requires knowledge of applicable policies and procedures as well as inventory systems such as the generic inventory package (GIP), barcoding, aseptic procedures, and Logistics processes.
Supply Distribution - Maintains stock at primary and secondary inventory locations for all clinical and administrative services. This involves pulling stock inventory and material from main inventory for delivery; replenishing stock inventory; interacting with clinical and administrative customers to ensure issues and needs are identifiedand either resolved or escalated to supervisors or Inventory Management Specialists as needed; maintaining records on stock levels; recommending revisions in stock levels as needed to supply changes to Inventory Management Specialists; communicating to the lead or supervisor any concerns related to supplies, equipment and procedures, providing information as needed orally or in writing regarding customer or external stakeholder issues, general telephone inquiries and visitor referrals; communicating with customers and vendors to obtain information regarding medical supplies.
Monitors expiration dates, rotates stock to limit outdates and removes items from use as required by outdates. Supports managers in checking inventory for stock identified for recalled items and hazard alerts; ensures critical supplies are appropriately monitored and controlled, resolving deviations when possible, and escalating significant deviations to the Inventory Management Specialists.
Cleans assigned secondary areas (Omnicell’s, bins and shelves) in accordance with aseptic principles as published in infection control guidelines, local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Joint Commission standards as scheduled.
Inventory Control – Receiving - Receives supplies and material into the VA Health Care System and supported catchment area. Unpacks/uncrates supplies from shipping cartons; properly stores supplies and material in main/primary inventory areas. Stores items in accordance with established guidelines, utilizing a computerized inventory system, to ensure sterility and integrity of the supplies and material and the data integrity of the inventory management system. Through periodic inventory and discussion with ward and clinical personnel, maintains stock levels, returns reusable supplies to the distribution area, and informs clinic and ward personnel on new or changed items and supplies, current medical supply resources, and shelf life.
Performs other duties as assigned.
The work requires standing and walking throughout the workday and frequent reaching, bending, and lifting of supply packages (occasionally weighing as much as 50 pounds). It also requires pushing loaded carts of medical supplies (weighing more than 100+ pounds). With proper assistance, the worker moves heavier items weighing over 40 pounds.
Work is performed throughout the medical center and supported catchment areas, which include wards, storage buildings, and warehouses that range from a clean environment to hot, cold, drafty, and poorly lit. Will be required to work outdoors on docks, making deliveries in all types of weather conditions during all seasons. Workers shall encounter hazardous materials in daily work activities.
Minimum of 8 years relevant experience including 2 years recent specialized supply technician experience, preferably in the VA or DOD.
Requires practical knowledge of standard supply management procedures to perform work involving inventory and excess material management. Knowledge and ability to interpret policies, procedures, manuals, and regulations pertaining to supply/inventory management and federal acquisition systems. Requires knowledge related to stock rotation, hazard alerts and recalls ensuring outdated or otherwise compromised supplies and material are removed from usage area.
Knowledge of the names of the different supply items including the trays and sets, and a general understanding of how items are used in case the user refers to them by another name. Requires knowledge of the availability, economic use, operation, and integration of aseptic procedures into the total health care program. Knowledge and general understanding of terminology and items related to specialty carts to ensure carts are built appropriately. Knowledge of item descriptions, medical and surgical terminology established work methods, and recognized priorities of the clinical areas served. Requires effective communication concepts techniques and methods (oral and written) to communicate with a variety of individuals, including internal and external customers.
