Medical Instrument Technician (GI)

Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (GI) functions as a member of a multidisciplinary team and assists the RN in the care of patients in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness. The MIT delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies.

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
• 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
• 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-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: 1
• Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex endoscopic procedures
• 2
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to the GI system - with ability to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures
• 3
• Ability to assist physician with specialized - complex procedures
• 4
• Knowledge of universal precautions and disinfection techniques and ability to follow SOP's to clean reusable medical equipment (RME)
• 5
• Ability to collaborate - communicate - and demonstrate customer service skills and interpersonal skills with all healthcare professionals to ensure quality and continuity of care
• 6
• Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data - adhering to patient privacy and information security policies
• 7
• 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: 3 years experience in Surgical Ambulatory Care/Outpatient and Care/Surgical Technician Reference:
• For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS7
• Physical Requirements: The population of male and female Veterans served ranges from 18 and above - to the elderly adult
• There is a large outpatient psychiatric population - with visits to the Emergency Department and admissions for medical co-morbidities
• This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing a weight of 35 pounds in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Program Directive 2010-032
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
  
  

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The MIT (GI) functions as a primary person responsible for handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during procedures such as: Colonoscopy - Polypectomies - Cytology and Sigmoidoscopy - esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) - digestive tract biopsies - esophageal biopsy - esophageal dilation - percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and other minor invasive procedures
• Prepare and coordinate clinical work flow
• Provide emotional and educational support to patient - family and caregivers
• Duties include but are not limited to: Prepares procedural rooms for the performance of procedures
• Sets up procedure rooms with all required items for each procedure such as video equipment - scopes - endoscope flushing system - image management systems - computers and monitors and cautery units
• The MIT independently carries out assignments
• Prepares and processes Semi Critical and Non Critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) in accordance with appropriate Standard Operating Procedures
• Plans and discusses each procedure with the team professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the procedures
• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the procedures and anticipates the needs of the physician and/or registered nurse by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time
• Prepares - organizes - and maintains highly complex procedures
• Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens - supplies - and equipment - as well as follows all RME reprocessing protocol for high level of disinfection
• Assists the GI Team members with care of the patient - i.e. - positioning - prepping - and obtaining supplies
• Applies various monitoring equipment - i.e. - BP/P/O2Sat/ECG - etc. - when assisting with patient procedure preparation
• Performs CBG tests
• Transports sedated/non-sedated patients to/from Admit/Recovery via gurney/WC safely
• Handles all GI specimens appropriately
• Responsible for the accountability for all GI instruments and equipment during the procedure
• Assists the physician - and/or registered nurse with instrumentation necessary to perform the required procedure and treatment such as obtaining biopsies - brushings - performing polypectomies - inflation of balloon dilators
• Prepares diagnostic biopsy specimens - assessing the adequacy of each - and placing in appropriate specimen bottle with appropriate labeling to meet pathology laboratory specifications during procedures
• Functions as role mode and teacher in training of new team members in the operation of equipment - proper techniques - handling of instruments - and procedures to include the assistant role for invasive procedures and has direct influence on the performance of other team member assistants - as well as the ultimate outcome of the procedure
• Work Schedule: 8 AM - 4:30 PM - Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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