Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia)

RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE AUTHORIZED FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES.

The Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) position is located in Anesthesiology Service of the VA Northern California Health Care System. The incumbent performs autotransfusion services to ensure that the patient is receiving the safest possible blood transfusion, and prepares the patient for surgery by establishing arterial or venous access for the anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists.

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

2. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English.

3. 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".

For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition.

Grandfathering Provision: 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).
All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

• Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.
• Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
• Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
• If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations:

Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia Technician), GS-9

• 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
  • 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 counterpulsation 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

Preferred Experience: The following experience is preferred:

• Clinical experience with Anesthesia equipment - Operating, troubleshooting, calibrating and maintaining anesthesia machines, monitors, ventilators, and infusion pumps. Assisting anesthesiologists and/or CRNAs during procedures involving general, regional, and monitored anesthesia care. Familiarity with anesthesia gas delivery systems, scavenging systems and suction equipment.
• Sterilization and equipment prep - Cleaning disinfecting and sterilizing resusable anesthesia equipment such as laryngoscopes, fiberoptic scopes. Knowledge of sterile tehnique and infection control standards.
• Inventory and supply management - Managing anesthesia-related inventory, checking expiration dates, stocking carts, and ordering supplies. Familiarity with automated supply systems such as Pyxis and Omnicell.
• Experience in operating room or ICU settings - Experience working directly in surgical suites, critical care, or emergency departments. Supporting high acuity or complex procedures involving cardiovascular, neuro, trauma, or transplant surgery.
• Computer and documentation skills - Experience with electronic health records systems such as CPRS or Epic. Accurate documentation of equipment checks and preventative maintenance.

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: PART II, APPENDIX G27, EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 7, 2012.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Major Duties include but are not limited to:

• Advanced technical expertise in the calibration, maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting of a broad spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic medical instruments and equipment. Many equipment systems consist of complex integrated computer controls with multiple interconnected subsystems. Requires knowledge, judgment and creativity to adapt and integrate equipment to new or difficult procedures or settings (i.e., ability to modify a blood pressure manometer to measure CPAP in one lung ventilation).
• With Biomedical Engineering Technicians, jointly develops routine maintenance and repair schedules based on regulatory standards, manufacturer recommendations and equipment requirements. Services anesthesia equipment within level of expertise, performing preventative maintenance, evaluating and replacing worn or failed components and assemblies as needed. Requires familiarity with equipment under service contract and warranty.
• Orders, maintains and arranges allocation and distribution of anesthesia equipment and supplies to ensure timely availability for all anesthesia care providers in or out of the Operating Room Suite. Must understand the seriousness of common illnesses, equipment parameters and limitations, procedure objectives and provide appropriate equipment and assistance as needed to optimize the situation and verify accurate results.
• For all cases in or out of the Operating Room Suite: ensures all drugs and emergency equipment are available; sets up, calibrates and troubleshoots ventilators and all routine monitors; assists in preparation of IV solutions, medication infusion equipment, invasive monitor fluid lines and transducers; performs blood test analysis; and assists in monitoring patient vital signs and lab results as ordered by the anesthesia provider.
• Assists anesthesia personnel in many intense complicated procedures including: controlled and emergent airway management, establishing and maintaining invasive monitoring, various medication infusion systems, positioning and transport of unstable patients. Many situations are new or emergent and require sophisticated, efficient evaluation and decisive action.
• Recognizes abnormalities in patient responses to treatment, lab results or equipment function. Notifies team and troubleshoots cause of erroneous result. Efficiently makes adjustments as necessary within realm of expertise to optimize immediate situation, and informs appropriate personnel for follow up as needed.
• Knowledge of pharmacology including the classification and administration of anesthetic gases, possible drug interactions and patient responses, and common dosages.

Work Schedule: Full-Time; This position offers a flexible work schedule subject to supervisory approval.
Compressed/Flexible:Flexible
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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 creditable military service.
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.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $417