Career Center

Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician is a member of the Gastroenterology Procedure Team and provides assistance to the physician - nurse manager - registered nurse - and other team members during diagnostic examinations or medical treatment procedures as part of the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The work is performed in the Gastroenterology Unit of Interventional Services.

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:

• 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"
• 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-4 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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
• GS-5 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 8 procedures
• Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble - clean - reassemble - and calibrate the machine
• 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: 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 GS-7 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 Preferred Experience: GI Tech Experience 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-4 to GS-7. Physical Requirements: Work pace ranges from sedentary to a very rapid pace to include walking - standing - bending - and reaching
• Includes lifting and positioning patients in/onto exam position or on/off gurney - and or wheelchair
• Work requires specific - but common - physical abilities such as agility and dexterity to position patients for examination or treatment in usual alternate positions for patients with common disabilities
• Heavy lifting occasionally may be required to relocate clinic equipment or patients.

Duties

• Functions as a primary person responsible for knowledge and handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during GI procedures - such as but not limited to esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) - colonoscopy - enteroscopy - sigmoidoscopy - argon plasma cautery - cytology - digestive tract biopsies - esophageal banding - esophageal biopsy - dilation - and polypectomies
• Able to place Nuvolo requests or contact Biomed for equipment issues and notifying GI manager as issues arise
• Prepares procedural rooms for the performance of GI procedures - including the set-up/ testing of the video imaging system - computers and monitors - cautery units - pill cameras - data collectors - appropriate endoscope for procedure - specialized accessories - and supplies
• Turns procedure rooms over within an average of eight-minute time frame
• Turnover time represents the time from which a patient leaves the procedure room to the time the room is ready for the next patient
• Responsible for demonstrating and maintaining full competency in the use - pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipment
• The employee must ensure that the appropriate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and manufacturer's instructions are followed for any step in the use of RME and RME storage (precleaning and maintenance) in which he/she is involved
• Plans and discusses each procedure with the GPT professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the GI procedures
• Work Schedule: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM Monday- Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 554-55140-A -554-55141-A - 554-55142-A - 554-55143-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized