Incumbent functions as a Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia Tech), performing duties of supervision, technical/equipment support, patient care support and administrative support in the daily Anesthesiology service functions for the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System.
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: Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions. Licensure or Certification. Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. 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). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) GS-9. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level, positions at this level may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and duties. Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would include specialized experience as an anesthesia technician which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to provide all aspects of anesthesia technician services including specialized duties. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1 through 6 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 7 and 8 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment. 1. Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of laboratory testing procedures to include maintenance, calibration, and quality control procedures. This includes the ability to perform these lab tests accurately and correctly. 2. Advanced knowledge of electronics and anesthesia equipment with skill in repairing and maintaining this equipment and repairing complex problems. *3. Comprehensive knowledge of central venous and pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheterization procedures including measuring cardiac outputs and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation procedures (i.e., balloon pump). 4. Knowledge and ability to assist with airway management techniques. *5. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. 6. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. *7. Ability to manage and supervise employees. *8. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training. Certification. Anesthesia technician certification through the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Supervisory Anesthesia Technician. Individuals in this assignment assume full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the work of subordinate technicians. Typically these duties include assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; providing anesthesia technician services in more complex cases; reviewing and making recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures; providing instruction and training to new staff; interviewing candidates for positions; recommending selections, advancements, promotions; evaluating performance; taking disciplinary action when necessary; and identifying educational or training needs. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 10 years experience in anesthesia technology, including setup, calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of anesthesia machines, monitors, and related equipment. Supervisory or team lead experience overseeing anesthesia technician or staff. Experience developing and maintaining equipment maintenance logs, calibration records, and quality assurance data. Proven ability to work with anesthesiologists and OR nurses. 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-9. . Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Duties include, but are not limited to: Incumbent performs full administrative and technical supervision for staff of Medical Instrument Technicians. The incumbent is responsible for evaluating, organizing and continually managing the functions and services of the Anesthesia Support section of the Anesthesiology Service. Duties include planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling and evaluating anesthesia and perioperative technology functions, duties and responsibilities in coordination with all services requiring anesthesia support. Performs advanced technical and clinical work relating to the treatment of patients by providing physicians with technical information used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Operates, calibrates, troubleshoots, and maintains a wide variety of electronic monitoring and diagnostic equipment for Anesthesiology Service to assure they operate properly and are in compliance with all applicable codes and standards. In addition to the responsibility for proper set-up, calibration and function of anesthesia-specific equipment, properly sets up sophisticated fiber optic bronchoscopy systems, nebulizers and Bispectral Index Systems. Sets up and calibrates pressure transducers, flow meters, patient monitors, electrophysiological recorders, defibrillators, etc. Inventories. orders. restock, and maintain stock of anesthesia carts. Employee checks all work areas for outdated medications and supplies stocked in the anesthesia service. Routinely applies non-invasive monitors to patients and assists anesthesiologists in patient monitoring during invasive procedures. Uses blood gas analyzers to Perform arterial (ABG) and venous (VBG) blood gases. Uses and performs quality controls on the activated clotting time (ACT) machines and Glucometers. Performs tests using patient blood samples for Operating Rooms, Preoperative Care Unit, Postoperative Care Unit and other areas where anesthesia care is given. Incumbent assists with invasive monitoring by retrieving all necessary medications and supplies and performing duties as requested by the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist. Incumbent adjusts ventilators, monitors and other equipment as ordered. Uses operating theory to set up, operate. calibrate and troubleshoot anesthesia support and patient monitoring equipment, to include: cardiac output and data recording computers, hypo/hyperthermia units, ventilators, respired gas analyzers, anesthesia machines and electronic stimulators. Plans, organizes, staffs, directs, controls and evaluates the perioperative technology functions, duties and responsibilities in coordination with many other services in the healthcare system. The incumbent is responsible for balancing various duties that are administrative, managerial, technical and clinical in nature. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 6am to 2:30pm 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 #: 50520F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized