Medical Instrument Technician Gastroenterology (MIT-GI) is located at VA San Diego in Nursing Service. The GI Tech will serve as a responsible member of the GI Department Team and interact with patients, family members, professional and supportive personnel who provide patient care and with member of other services. The GI technician 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.
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. Licensure. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-05 Experience: At least one (1) year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-4) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities (KSA), 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: 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. 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. Assignment: Medical Instrument Technicians (Trainee) at this level operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures under normal supervision. The technician functions somewhat independently in carrying out these standardized procedures of limited complexity. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help. Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures designed to prepare the technician for promotion to higher grades in a functional area. Such duties would be performed under closer supervision. GS-06 Experience: At least one (1) year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-5) 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: 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 Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Assignment: Technicians at this level aid the staff with procedures which are routine and standardized in nature. They explain the procedure to the patient to secure the patient's confidence and cooperation; position patients for procedures; and restock linen and consumable supplies. They set-up, clean, and ensure proper performance of the endoscopic equipment; and prepare the procedure rooms for turn-over, adhering to universal precautions and SOPs. The technician logs procedure and reprocessing data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policy. Assignments at this level require knowledge of basic medical terminology as well as common gastrointestinal anatomy. GS-07 Experience: At least one (1) year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-6) 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: 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. Assignment: This represents the full performance level. Technicians at this level function with minimal instruction, assisting the staff with complex specialized procedures such as ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). They are proficient with GI endoscopic equipment and ensure proper performance of endoscopic equipment; select alternate equipment or adjust equipment settings to accommodate patient needs and produce high quality technique. They collect, process, and label all specimens; train other technicians in basic endoscopic procedures; work in and outside the GI unit offering technician support during emergent and on-call endoscopic cases; and assist the nurse in patient care duties such as obtaining vital signs, dressing and documenting all pertinent information in the patient's records. They inventory and maintain par levels of specialty equipment for the endoscopy unit Preferred Experience: BLS or like certificate required. Recent patient care experience. Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex endoscopic procedures. 1-2 years experience in assisting physician with basic, specialized and complex pulmonary and gastrointestinal procedures. 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-05 to GS-07.
Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Performs on-call duty assignments for acute inpatient urgent/emergent and off-tour hour endoscopy service needs. Adheres to ethical principles and standards in delivering care and contributes to a safe and functional environment of care through use of effective communication skills with co-workers and customers to achieve desired patient outcomes. Demonstrates ability to assist physicians with advanced, complex medical procedures to include and not limited to colonoscopy, gastric and colon biopsies, esophageal dilation, common bile duct dilation, pneumatic dilation, intragastric balloon placement or removal. Demonstrates ability to assist physicians with advanced, complex pulmonary procedures including and not limited to endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), fine needle aspiration, navigational robotic bronchoscopy, cryotherapy, and endobronchial valve placements with supervision of an upper-grade and experienced GI-MIT. Ensures patients are properly positioned for their examination, using appropriated ergonomics, body mechanics, and assistive lifting techniques as necessary. Assists RN with peri-procedural (pre/intra/post) direct care needs (i.e., obtain vital signs, blood-glucose levels, conduct pre-procedure patient screening, obtain peripheral intravenous access (PIV), assist with ADLs, etc.). Demonstrates ability to utilize special monitoring equipment to aid RN with patient assessment for possible arrhythmias, variances in heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. Demonstrates understanding of scheduling and coordination for special procedures, logistics preparation, operation and maintenance of biomedical equipment including video endoscopes, laser, and fluoroscopy diagnostic equipment. Ensures implants and supplies are not expired and procedural equipment and medical devices are safe and operable for clinical operations. Supports delivery of nursing care to complete preparation for invasive procedures, specialized infusions, and/or treatments. Assures availability of emergency and disaster preparedness equipment, devices, and supplies. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Variable tours Monday-Saturday from 0700-1730 with rotating on-call hours. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. 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) 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.