Medical Instrument Technician Advanced-Gastroenterology

About the role

The Advanced Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) is a member of the Gastroenterology Procedure Team (GPT) and provides assistance to the physician, nurse manager, registered nurse, and other team members during diagnostic examinations or medical treatment procedures as part of the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The MIT participates with the GPT members in planning and implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the physician, nurse manager, and registered nurse.

Qualifications

Announcement type: Open continuous announcement — open until 12/21/2026. Initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications is 11/02/2026; eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as‑needed basis until positions are filled.

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.
• Licensure or Certification: 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.
• English Language: Proficiency in spoken and written English is required (per chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a).

Grade Determinations

GS‑7 GI Technician (Full Performance Level)

Technicians at this level function with minimal instruction, assisting staff with complex specialized procedures such as ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). They are proficient with GI endoscopic equipment, ensure proper performance, select alternate equipment or adjust settings to accommodate patient needs, collect/process/label all specimens, train other technicians in basic endoscopic procedures, work in and outside the GI unit for emergent/on‑call cases, assist the nurse with patient care duties (vital signs, dressing, documentation), and inventory/maintain par levels of specialty equipment.

• 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; ability to follow SOPs to clean reusable medical equipment (RME).
• Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service 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.

Certification: Not required; BLS certification is desirable.

GS‑8

At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the duties of the position, including knowledge of advanced specialized gastroenterology procedures. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire assignment‑specific KSAs (marked with *):

• Knowledge of complex gastroenterology procedures such as ERCP with spy glass, ablation procedures, mucosal resection procedures, fine needle aspiration procedures, and capsule studies.
• Ability to provide briefings and orientations to hospital staff including physicians.
• Knowledge of regulatory and advisory agencies (Joint Commission, OSHA, SGNA, ASGE) and applicable laws such as HIPAA.
• Knowledge of medical terminology related to GI and biliary systems for pathology identification, specimen identification, procedure documentation, and advanced anatomy/physiology to recognize obvious abnormalities during procedures.
• *Ability to provide staff development and training.

Certification: Not required; SGNA core level one and two certifications (BLS and ACLS) are desirable.

Assignments above full performance level: Higher‑level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, and variety, performed at least 25% of the time. Advanced GI Technicians assist with the most highly complex procedures (mucosal resection, ablation, fine needle aspiration, double balloon colonoscopy), train technicians and other staff, may assist with daily assignments, procedural room assignments, ordering specialty equipment, trialing new equipment, coordinating major repairs/installation with vendors, arranging vendor training and educational in‑services, and may serve on GI‑related committees incorporating practice improvement measures.

Physical Requirements

The work requires setting up and assisting with procedures at bedside. Equipment weighs less than 5 lbs. Any physical demand can be done sitting and/or standing. If assistance is required to reposition a patient, staff are available to help.

Responsibilities

• Functions as primary person responsible for knowledge and handling of instruments, supplies, and equipment during GI procedures (e.g., argon plasma cautery, colonoscopy, cytology, digestive tract biopsies, esophageal banding, esophageal biopsy, esophageal dilation, EGD, PEG, polypectomies, sigmoidoscopy, BARRX (RFA), endoscopic mucosal resections (EMR)).
• Places IT ticket requests and/or contacts Biomed for equipment issues, notifying GI Manager and/or Charge Nurse as issues arise.
• Prepares procedural rooms for GI procedures, including set‑up/testing of video imaging system, computers and monitors, cautery units, pill cameras, data collectors, appropriate endoscope, specialized accessories and supplies.
• Responsible for performing Fibroscans and reporting results to liver providers.
• Turns procedure rooms over within an average of ten‑minute time frame.
• Demonstrates and maintains full competency in pre‑cleaning of reusable medical equipment; ensures appropriate SOP and manufacturer’s instructions are followed for any step in the use, storage, pre‑cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and maintenance of RME.
• Plans and discusses each procedure with GPT professionals, assuring all supplies and equipment are available prior to procedures.
• Prepares, organizes, and maintains highly complex GI set‑ups.
• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of GI procedures, anticipating needs of the physician and/or registered nurse while maintaining high concentration for extended periods.
• Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies when handling specimens, supplies, equipment.
• Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (e.g., frayed cords, water on floor) and takes corrective action.
• Assists GPT members with patient care (positioning, obtaining supplies).
• Applies monitoring equipment (BP/O2 Sat/ECG, etc.) during patient preparation.
• Responsible for accountability of all GI instruments and equipment during procedures.
• Restocks procedure room at end of day, rotates stock to assure usage before expiration, ensuring room readiness at all times.
• Assists physician and/or registered nurse with instrumentation for biopsies, brushings, polypectomies, inflation of balloon dilators, injection of contrast solutions and other agents.
• Prepares diagnostic biopsy specimens, assesses adequacy, properly orients biopsies, places in appropriate specimen bottles with correct labeling to meet pathology lab specifications.
• Performs final biopsy check with endoscopist post‑procedure, verifying patient labels on specimens are correct.
• Ensures all specialized GI accessories (snares, injection needles, esophageal devices, etc.) are monitored for availability through Logistics; patient‑specific items require direct consultation with the Gastroenterologist for proper sizing.
• Complies with all safety/fire