Medical Instrument Technician (Gastroenterology (GI) Technician)

Full Job Description

The Medical Instrument Technician performs technical and patient care functions during procedures performed at the Gastroenterology Procedure Suite under the supervision of the Physician or Registered Nurse.

The Medical Instrument Technician provides assistance to the physician, nurses and/or physician assistants with a thorough understanding of safe care and handling of equipment.

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. 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: GS-07: 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs at the GS-07 Grade Level: 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.

Preferred Experience: 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.

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.

Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment or assisting patients.

The work requires above average agility and dexterity.

The incumbent may be required to travel between VA and/or Non-VA clinical care sites and possession of a valid driver's license may be required. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Gastroenterology (GI) Technicians assist the practitioner in endoscopic procedures, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and endoscopic ultrasound.

The technicians ensure proper performance of equipment, set up equipment, and reprocess endoscopic reusable medical devices (RMD).

The Medical Instrument Technician (GI) provides the following: Procedure support. Prepares patients for tests, examinations, treatment, or minor surgery.

Assists physician during diagnostic, therapeutic and minor surgical procedures by preparing necessary supplies and equipment.

Positions patient for desired results and cushions/shields patient as appropriate for a variety of procedures.

Assists nurse to position patients and address patients' questions during more complex procedures. Incumbent is competent to administer basic life support and other resuscitative measures as needed.

Instructs patients in sound health practices considering illness, physical limitations, culture, and socioeconomic status.

Performs a variety of auxiliary duties connected with patient care such as checking operational status of emergency equipment and maintaining a clean, safe, and orderly work environment by applying knowledge of infection control measures and aseptic techniques.

Ensures adherence to sterile techniques and other established safety measures to prevent patient infection and cross-contamination.

Independently pre-cleans and disinfects endoscopes after GI Procedures. Uses a washer for sterilizing scopes. Performs operator testing and preventive maintenance on equipment and disinfector.

Assists physician and RN in various specialized and emergency therapeutic treatment procedures. Assist the physician in the treatment of ulcers and upper GI bleeding.

Sets up the bipolar cautery unit to the proper energy levels and water pressure necessary for the procedure. Assists the physician with the Sclerotherapy of Varices.

Prepares syringes with the sclerosing agent and operates the injector by evaluation the resistance encountered while injecting the sclerosant into the vein. Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Thursday 8:00am to 4:30pm, Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm with on call.

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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized