Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia)

Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) is an allied health care professional and an essential member of the Anesthesia Care Team. The MIT provides support to the Anesthesia Care Team to deliver high quality, safe, cost effective, and efficacious patient care in the operation of the Anesthesiology Service at the VA Hampton Healthcare System.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Assists anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in difficult anesthetic procedures under minimal supervision. Connects and operates invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment (e.g., arterial pressure monitors), anesthesia machines, ventilators, intubation bronchoscopes, and ultrasonic scanning devices. Prepares and administers medications as directed by the attending physician. Mentors and trains lower graded technicians, nurses, medical students, and anesthesia residents on anesthesia technology procedures and assist the supervisor/manager with quality control and performance improvement activities. Exercises a high degree of independent judgment in anesthesia technology duties. Makes available, assembles, and assists in the operation of specialized equipment used for difficult airway management. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm 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

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: 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. Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification. 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-8 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 positions to be filled. AND In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 1. Knowledge of the correct use of invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology. 2. Knowledge of basic electrocardiography (EKG). 3. Skill and ability to troubleshoot equipment, often while the patient is anesthetized. 4. Skill and ability to maintain sterility during procedures. 5. Knowledge and understanding of arterial pressure line wave forms including the ability to recognize and distinguish normal from abnormal, artifact from abnormality, and forewarn the physician or anesthetist of an impending life-threatening situation. 6. Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies, medications, and equipment appropriate to more difficult anesthetic procedures such as those found in inpatient settings with more acutely ill patients. Preferred Experience: 1 ear operating room experience preferred. 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-08. Physical Requirements: The position requires visual acuity (corrective lenses permitted), keen hearing (hearing aid permitted), clear speech, and manual dexterity of both hands for troubleshooting and repairing sophisticated equipment. The position requires potentially long periods of continuous walking, standing, pushing, pulling, stooping, bending, and twisting, and may involve periods of strenuous exertion. Transporting Veterans and objects may be required. The MIT will be expected to frequently push and pull carts and anesthesia machines within the Operating Room and from floor-to-floor of the Medical Center is required. These machines weigh approximately 400 pounds and are on wheels. The AT must be able to independently maneuver these machines. The employee may need to lift or carry up to 35lbs intermittently and reach above the shoulders with both hands. The MIT will be exposed to video display terminals, electronic equipment, lasers, and radiographic equipment on a recurring basis. A calm, yet efficient demeanor is required for troubleshooting and operating monitoring equipment in highly stressful Operating Room situations.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.