Gastroenterology Medical Instrument Technician (MIT)

Description:

This position is located at the Orlando VA Healthcare System. The Gastroenterology (GI) Technician performs in a mutually supportive role and is responsible for the technical management of the endoscopy suites. GI Technicians assist the practitioner in endoscopic procedures, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGO), colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and endoscopic ultrasound. The technicians ensure proper set up and performance of equipment.

Requirements:

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

• Citizenship. Must be a United States Citizen.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA policy.
• Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation.

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).

GRADE REQUIREMENTS
GS-7 GI Technician (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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the 1 year specialized experience, 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 Basic Life Support (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. GI and Endoscopy experience

Preferred Certifications

• GI Technical Specialist (GTS) certification by the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA) for level one and level two training and/or
• GI endoscope reprocessing certification through the Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)

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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.

Physical Requirements. This position requires visual acuity, ability to distinguish basic colors, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and above average manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, kneeling, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing moderately heavy objects, reaching and stretching to set up and take apart equipment. Lifting, positioning and transferring patients and objects of 45 pounds and over may be required. The incumbent may have regular and recurring exposure to infectious and contagious diseases. contaminated materials, odors and other risks which require special health and safety recautions such as wearing protective clothing such as gloves, masks, or lead aprons. This position is evaluated as category Level I in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); position requires the performance of tasks that are exposed to blood and potentially infectious body fluid. The incumbent may occasionlly 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 and able to shift priorities based on patient needs.