Gastroenterology (GI) is a specialty practice area in which health-care staff provide care to patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal problems who are undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic treatment or procedures.
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. 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. - Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. 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 (GI) GS-6: 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 1. Ability to set up endoscopy equipment, ensuring endoscopes and ancillary equipment functions properly. 2. Ability to aid the physician with standard and routine procedures such as colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). 3. Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to assist practitioner with routine standardized gastroenterology procedures. 4. 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. 5. Ability to reprocess and maintain specialty critical reusable medical equipment (RME), following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and universal precautions. 6. Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies. 7. 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 Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Medical Instrument technician (GI) GS-7 (Full Performance Level): 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 1. Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex endoscopic procedures. 2. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to the GI system, with ability to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures. 3. Ability to assist physician with specialized, complex procedures. 4. Knowledge of universal precautions and disinfection techniques and ability to follow SOP's to clean reusable medical equipment (RME). 5. Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service skills and interpersonal skills with all healthcare professionals to ensure quality and continuity of care. 6. Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies. 7. 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. Physical Requirements: 1. Extended (long) periods of standing, bending, and walking. 2. Lifting of heavy equipment and/or patients. 3. Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling and turning weights ranging from a 10 pounds piece of equipment up to, but not limited to, the potential for a patient weighing greater than 400 pounds. 4. Supporting/exerting sustained physical "pressure" for up to ten minutes at a time. 5. Involves excellent visual acuity, auditory acuity, above average agility and manual dexterity. 6. Wearing of personal protective equipment including continual use of face shields and masks (any respiratory conditions may interfere). 7. Repetitive physical motions for long-periods of time utilizing, but not limited to, hands, arms, fingers, neck, back, and legs. 8. The position may require incumbent to perform duties while wearing radioactive protective clothing (lead) for long periods of time. 9. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. 10. The incumbent may be exposed to chemicals during reprocessing of equipment. 11. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. 12. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Preferred Experience: specialty critical reusable medical equipment (RME), following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and universal precautions. 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-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-7.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional These duties are but are not limited to: 1. This assignment represents the full performance level MIT/GI. The MIT/GI performs as a responsible member of the GI Department team and interacts with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care, and with members of other services, incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice. The MIT/GI has full knowledge of GI policies and procedures and a basic knowledge of GI Anatomy to prepare, and care for patients in the GI procedure area. 2. The MIT/GI is responsible for the procedure room set-up and tear-down, specimen collection and assisting the doctors and nurses during endoscopy procedures. Room set-up involves choosing appropriate scope and accessories for the upcoming case, assuring they are properly connected to processors, etc. Stocking the room so all needed supplies are at hand and the case runs smoothly. During cases the technician will be available and trained to assist with accessories and endoscopic treatment and interventions. After the case and the patient has been moved to recovery, the GI Technician will assure the appropriate initial pre-cleaning, cleaning, high-level disinfection, and storage of endoscopes and accessory equipment. The MIT (GI) prepares the endoscopy suite for the next procedure, restocking as needed. 3. The MIT/GI collects, processes, and labels all specimens; trains other technicians in basic and advanced endoscopic procedures; works in and outside the GI unit offering technician support during emergent and on-call endoscopic cases; and assists the nurse in patient care duties such as obtaining vital signs, reporting changes in clinical statues, and documenting all pertinent information in the patient's records. The MIT/GI assures procedure reports are completed and documented in CPRS as soon as possible after interpretation. They inventory and maintain par levels of specialty equipment for the endoscopy unit. The MIT/GI will reprocess and maintain specialty critical reusable medical equipment (RME), following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and universal precautions. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm Compressed/Flexible: available 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 Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92549-0, 92595-0, 92596-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized