Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until June 30 - 2021. The initial cut-off date of eligible applications will be on April 25 - 2025. Eligible applicants received after that date will be referred at regular intervals - every other Friday until all positions are filled.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation
• Licensure or Certification: Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation
• however - it is strongly desirable at GS-06 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge - skills - and abilities
• It is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• 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: Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) - GS-04: Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled
• Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant - practical nursing - or similar fields
• The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation
• Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: OR Education
• Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology
• Ability to learn the components - operating characteristics - and settings of the equipment to be used
• Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress
• Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing
• Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) - GS-05: Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled
• This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas
• Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: OR - Education
• Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation - or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions
• Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment
• Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities
• Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures
• Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble - clean - reassemble - and calibrate the machine
• Medical Instrument Technician (Gastroenterology Technician) - GS-06: Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: Ability to set up endoscopy equipment - ensuring endoscopes and ancillary equipment functions properly
• Ability to aid the physician with standard and routine procedures such as colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
• Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to assist practitioner with routine standardized gastroenterology procedures
• Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure - recognizing disabilities or impaired mobility and assisting the patient as necessary
• Ability to reprocess and maintain specialty critical reusable medical equipment (RME) - following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and universal precautions
• Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data - adhering to patient privacy and information security policies
• Ability to manually clean and disinfect non-critical reusable equipment and surfaces - dispose of one- time-use equipment and trash per facility policy - and restock supplies such as linens - suction equipment - and cleaning products
• Certification
• No certification is required
• however - it is desirable that employees at this level have BLS certification
• Medical Instrument Technician (Gastroenterology Technician) - GS-07: Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled
• This would be experience which provided knowledge of proper performance of endoscopic equipment and procedures
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex endoscopic procedures
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to the GI system - with ability to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures
• Ability to assist physician with specialized - complex procedures
• Knowledge of universal precautions and disinfection techniques and ability to follow SOP's to clean reusable medical equipment (RME)
• Ability to collaborate - communicate - and demonstrate customer service skills and interpersonal skills with all healthcare professionals to ensure quality and continuity of care
• Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data - adhering to patient privacy and information security policies
• Ability to deliver patient care - including vital sign measurements and medication administration
• Certification
• No certification is required
• however - it is desirable that employees at this level have BLS certification
• 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-07
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-07
• Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing - walking - bending - twisting - and carrying light items.

Duties

• The New Mexico VA Health Care System is seeking three Medical Instrument Technicians (Gastroenterologist) to work as a member of the Gastroenterology Procedure Team and providing assistance to the care team during diagnostic examinations or medical treatment procedures as part of the diagnosis and treatment of patients
• The MIT functions as a primary person responsible for handling instruments - supplies - and equipment functions during GI procedures and Scope Reprocessing
• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Prepares procedural rooms for the performance of GI procedures with all required items for each procedure such as video equipment - endoscopes - endoscope flushing system - image management systems ERCP equipment - Fluoroscopy/x-ray - EUS equipment - computers and monitors - cautery units - and reprocessing equipment in accordance with appropriate Standard Operating Procedures Plans and discusses each procedure with the GI team professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the GI procedures Prepares - organizes - and maintains highly complex GI endoscopes Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the GI procedures and anticipates the needs of the physician and/or registered nurse by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time Applies various monitoring equipment - i.e. - BP cuff - pulse oximetry probe - ecg leads - etc. - when assisting with patient procedure preparation
• Transports non-sedated patients to/from Admit/Recovery rooms via gurney or wheelchair Handles all GI specimens appropriately Responsible for the accountability for all GI instruments and equipment during the procedure Assists the physician - and/or registered nurse with instrumentation necessary to perform the required procedure and treatment such as obtaining biopsies - brushings - performing polypectomies - inflation of balloon dilators - and injection of contrast solutions - approved medications - or medical devices during GI procedures
• Prepares diagnostic biopsy specimens - assessing the adequacy of each - and placing in appropriate specimen bottle with appropriate labeling to meet pathology laboratory specifications during procedures Assists in training medical and surgical residents - medical students - nursing students - GI Fellows - and new GI Team staff in the operation of equipment - proper techniques - handling of instruments - and GI procedures to include the assistant role for invasive procedures Notifies outpatients of their upcoming GI procedure and instructs them on the correct preparation for their procedure Performs non-technical maintenance of equipment to prevent malfunctions Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials
• Identifies equipment needing preventive maintenance or repair Recognizes potentially hazardous situations and takes corrective action Provides guidance - education - and support to GI staff - patients - and other MITs Supervises volunteers - Intensive Therapy participants - aides - non-clinical team members - students - and other personnel Provides guidance and support to professionals - and technical students of an approved GI technology program Assists GI Team members in quality improvement activities Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in GI procedural technology through continuing education courses Work Schedule: 07:30 AM - 04:00 PM - Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized