The Gastroenterology (GI) Medical Instrument Technician aids staff with procedures which are routine and standardized in nature. They explain the procedure to the patient to secure the patient's confidence and cooperation; position patients for procedures; restock linen and consumable supplies. 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. 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: Grade Determinations:GS-07: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), and other characteristics related to the positions to be filled? This would be experience which provided the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized electroencephalography examinations. In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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: BLS or like certificate required Recent Patient Care Experience. Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex endoscopic procedures. 1-2 years experience in assisting physician with basic, specialized and complex pulmonary and gastrointestinal procedures. Ability to remain calm in busy, fast paced department. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: 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, pushing, and twisting. Transferring patients and objects are required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations and/or during 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. ["FUNCTIONS or SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy to assist practitioner with standard/routine gastroenterology procedures. Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning patients for procedures, recognizing disabilities or impaired mobility, and assisting patients as necessary. Ability to set up endoscopy equipment, ensuring endoscopes and ancillary equipment functions properly. Ability to aid with basic diagnostic/therapeutic GI procedures including and not limited to esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) colonoscopy, and bronchoscopy. gastric and colon biopsies, esophageal dilation, sigmoidoscopy, percutaneous. Ability to prepare procedural rooms for GI and Pulmonary endoscopies, to include instrument availability and set-up (e.g., biopsy forceps, specimen bottles, polypectomy snares, retrievers, injectors, dilators, balloons, electrocautery units, and accessory probes, etc.), testing of equipment for proper functioning, calibration, and operation, assuring immediate availability of emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitative equipment. Confirms availability of special equipment, surgical implants, and ensures these items are not expired. Ability to reprocess and maintain specialty critical reusable medical equipment (RME) following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and universal precautions. Ability to manually clean and disinfect non-critical reusable medical equipment and surfaces, dispose of one-time use equipment, and trash per facility policy; and restock procedural supplies and consumables for daily clinical operations. Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies. Ability to complete appropriate in-service training programs, on-the-job training, or government-sponsored developmental training programs, or training under physicians certified in the functional areas. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Saturday, 7:00 am - 5:30pm with rotating on-call hours. Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.