ASHHRA Career Center

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The primary purpose of this position is to assist the practitioner in gastro-intestinal endoscopic procedures. The Organizational Location of the Position is: GI Endoscopy Unit, Gastroenterology Section, at Dallas or Fort Worth campus of the VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS), Dallas, TX 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. 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". 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: GS-04: 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 position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. OR; Education. Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. 2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. 3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. 4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. 5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. GS-05: 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 position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level; OR, Education. Successful completion of [4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or] a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. 2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. 3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. 4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. 5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. Assignment. Medical Instrument Technicians (Trainee) at this level operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures under normal supervision. The technician functions somewhat independently in carrying out these standardized procedures of limited complexity. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help. Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures designed to prepare the technician for promotion to higher grades in a functional area. Such duties would be performed under closer supervision. GS-6: 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to set up endoscopy equipment, ensuring endoscopes and ancillary equipment functions properly. 2. Ability to aid the physician with standard and routine procedures such as colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). 3. Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to assist practitioner with routine standardized gastroenterology procedures. 4. Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure, recognizing disabilities or impaired mobility and assisting the patient as necessary. 5. Ability to reprocess and maintain specialty critical reusable medical equipment (RME), following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and universal precautions. 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 manually clean and disinfect non-critical reusable equipment and surfaces, dispose of one-time-use equipment and trash per facility policy, and restock supplies such as linens, suction equipment, and cleaning products. Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Assignment. Technicians at this level aid the 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; and restock linen and consumable supplies. They set-up, clean, and ensure proper performance of the endoscopic equipment; and prepare the procedure rooms for turn-over, adhering to universal precautions and SOPs. The technician logs procedure and reprocessing data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policy. Assignments at this level require knowledge of basic medical terminology as well as common gastrointestinal anatomy. Qualification standards for the GS-07 grade level continue in the Education section of this announcement. ["Duties include but not limited to: Provides technician support during emergent and on-call endoscopic cases. Ensures proper performance of equipment, set up equipment, and initiate reprocessing of endoscopic reusable medical equipment (RME). Performs and assist with diagnostic procedures used to diagnose gastrointestinal disease and assist with delegated tasks of direct and indirect care under the supervision of the registered nurse and physician in Endoscopy. Functions independently on all GI Endoscopy procedures, handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during procedures such as Colonoscopy, EGD, EGD with dilatations, EUS, ERCP, Pill Cam, Fine Needle Aspirations, banding varices, enteroscopy, endoscopic mucosal resections, stent placements, PEG tube placement and other complex procedures. Assists in performing GI Endoscopy procedures, managing supplies and complex equipment.- Obtains documents and communicates technical data to the RN and physician. Assists the gastroenterologist by performing such procedures as obtaining specimens, cytology, injecting contrast solutions, dye, and suctioning. Correctly obtains handles, manages, labels and submits specimens.- Prepares procedure room for the performance of a GI procedure. Sets up and ensures proper functioning of equipment prior to the procedure, including calibration as indicated. Plans and discusses each procedure with the GI team and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the start of the GI procedure. Operates and maintains medical Instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures. Practices principles of sterile and aseptic technique, preparing instruments independently and Without direct supervision. Utilizes universal precautions and follows all Infection control policies and procedures, when handling specimens, supplies and equipment. Follows all RME reprocessing protocols for high level of disinfection. Observes, identifies and immediately corrects a break in procedure and/or technique by any member of the GI Endoscopy Team. Interacts with numerous health-care personnel and all levels of students. May teach or assist in training specific aseptic techniques and operation of equipment. Assists with all activities of the GI/DPP unit, gather and maintain supplies and equipment, cleaning equipment, assist with patient care needs, collect patient information/data, transport patients ambulatory or via wheelchair or stretcher, and provide patient education. Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday and opportunity for after-hours calls Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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