Medical Instrument Tech (Anesthesia)

Full Job Description

The incumbent functions as the Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) for the Surgical Service, and as such is responsible for providing anesthesia support services throughout the Medical Center in conjunction with surgical and diagnostic procedures requiring anesthesia.

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.

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.

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.

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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

GS-09 Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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.

Advanced knowledge of electronics and anesthesia equipment with skill in repairing and maintaining this equipment and repairing complex problems.

Comprehensive knowledge of central venous and pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheterization procedures including measuring cardiac outputs and intra-aortic balloon counter-pulsation procedures (i.e., balloon pump).

Knowledge and ability to assist with airway management techniques. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.

Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. Ability to manage and supervise employees.

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.

Anesthesia Technicians perform logistical and technical support to anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists.

They maintain anesthesiology supplies and equipment, set-up anesthetizing locations and operate, monitor, and collect data from anesthesia related equipment.

In some cases Anesthesia Technicians will perform clinical laboratory functions, equipment preventive maintenance/repair, and specialized cardiac procedures such as cardiac output measurement, intra-aortic balloon pumping, vessel cannulation, and autotransfusion services.

Certification at two distinct levels is offered by the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT).

Preferred experience: Technical support experience for all anesthesia related areas within the Medical Center.

These areas include the operating room, the post anesthesia recovery room, the preoperative holding area, the intensive care units, gastroenterology lab, cardiac catheterization lab, bronchoscopy suite, and the radiology suite.

Activities in these areas involve assembly, checking for proper function, and calibration of complex life support equipment; assembly of components for invasive monitoring; maintenance of inventories of essential materials; providing direct hands-on assistance to the anesthesia professionals; and occasional repair of equipment malfunction even during patient care activities.

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-09.

Physical Requirements: The physical demand of the work requires use of fingers; moderate walking and standing; clear speech; emotional stability.

Moderate lifting up to 25lbs and moderate carrying, 15-25 pounds; pushing up to 30 minutes; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; vision correctable equivalent to that required for driving a motor vehicle and ability to discern colors; hearing (aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability.

Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly up to 30 minutes at a time. Major Duties:

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Be responsible for the setting up of the anesthesia machines in each Operating Suite and designated out-of-OR locations, prior to the beginning of the scheduled workday, including breathing circuits, all regular monitors, suction apparatus, and other disposable or re-cleanable apparatus that might be required.

Set up l-V lines when needed, including infusion pumps, and set up all pressure bags and lines for specialty catheters, such as CVP, arterial, and PA catheters.

Assist the anesthesia professional with the application of patient monitoring, the monitors, and the insertion of invasive monitoring devices.

Knowledge of aseptic technique is required to provide aseptic hands-on assistance when necessary.

Be familiar with the operation and quality control procedures for certain laboratory equipment used in the operating room, such as the glucometer.

Assist the anesthesia professional during the performance of regional anesthesia, particularly neuraxial regional techniques and nerve block techniques that require needle localization by nerve stimulator.

Possess a knowledge of anesthesia equipment to provide proper maintenance, trouble-shoot problems, makes minor repairs, or independently secure the services of biomedical personnel for making repairs.

Be constantly aware of the need for ordering expendable and non-expendable supplies. Keep the Chief Nurse Anesthetist aware of equipment needs and inability to procure certain critical supplies.

Maintain established stock levels of all supplies and drugs normally stocked in each anesthesia machine, PYXIS, travel cart, and pre-op/PACU cart; this requires frequent monitoring of stock during the day and at the end of each daily operating schedule.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:00am - 2:30pm Functional Statement #: 41854F Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional