Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) at the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System - Anesthesiology Service - Technical Section provides technical support to anesthesiology staff necessary for the safe and efficient delivery of anesthesiology staff necessary for the safe and efficient delivery of anesthesia services in the operating rooms - recovery room - Special Procedures Unit - Cardiac Catheterization Lab - and Radiology.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English
• 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: GS-8 Experience At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the Knowledge - Skills - Abilities (KSAs) - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (1) Knowledge of the correct use of invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology
• (2) Knowledge of basic electrocardiography (EKG)
• (3) Skill and ability to troubleshoot equipment - often while the patient is anesthetized
• (4) Skill and ability to maintain sterility during procedures
• (5) Knowledge and understanding of arterial pressure line wave forms including the ability to recognize and distinguish normal from abnormal - artifact from abnormality - and forewarn the physician or anesthetist of an impending life-threatening situation
• (6) Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies - medications - and equipment appropriate to more difficult anesthetic procedures such as those found in inpatient settings with more acutely ill patients
• Certification No certification is required
• however - it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification
• Assignment This represents the full performance level
• The anesthesia technician at this level assists anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in difficult anesthetic procedures under minimal supervision
• The technician will connect and operate invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment (e.g. - arterial pressure monitors) - anesthesia machines - ventilators - intubation bronchoscopes - and ultrasonic scanning devices
• Technicians prepare and administer medications as directed by the attending physician
• They mentor and train lower graded technicians - nurses - medical students - and anesthesia residents on anesthesia technology procedures and assist the supervisor/manager with quality control and performance improvement activities
• The technician will exercise a high degree of independent judgment in anesthesia technology duties
• 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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) covers with other anesthesia technicians the above mentioned areas
• He or she also rotates on-call with the other anesthesia technicians
• The duties and responsibilities of the Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) include but are not limited to the following: Calibrates - operates - and maintains (at the user level) the diverse physiological monitoring devices which are used to observe and record vital patient parameters including temperature - ECG - EEG - direct intravascular and inter-cardiac pressures - cardiac output - and respiratory gas levels
• Calibrates - operates - and maintains (at the user level) the various blood chemistry analyzers and associated equipment in the OR STAT Lab
• Maintains in the anesthesia carts - a constant inventory of the medication - intravenous solutions - inhalation anesthetic agents - endotracheal tubes - and many other expendable supplies required by the Anesthesiology Service
• Assists the physician in the positioning of patients during spinal - epidural - and regional block procedures in such a manner as to minimize the risks involved
• Insures that the correct anesthesia equipment and necessary supplies are available for each anesthetic procedure
• Knowledge of physics - chemistry - anatomy - physiology - and pharmacology sufficient to understand the capabilities and limitations of analytical - monitoring - and therapeutic medical devices when applied in a variety of clinical settings
• Knowledge of expected hemodynamic and blood chemistry values reflecting health as well as diseased states to detect anomalous patient waveforms or data and determine whether the information is valid or in error due to technological constraints
• Knowledge of surgical and anesthetic practices sufficient to anticipate the equipment and supplies required for a scheduled procedure
• Assist the anesthesiologist during both routine and emergency situations - such as a difficult intubation
• Ensures that each procedure has a complete and properly functioning life support system available
• Uses aseptic techniques when assembling sterile monitoring systems - and when assisting the anesthesiologist with procedures such as spinals - and the insertion of specialized catheters
• Decontaminates anesthesia equipment and re-useable goods with infection control procedures to prevent patient cross-contamination or the spread of nosocomial infections
• Maintains confidentiality of patient and employee information
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized