Medical Instrument Technician - Anesthesia

Summary

A Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) reports to the Anesthesiology Service Chief (clinical) and the Administrative Officer (AO) for Anesthesiology (administrative and programmatic).

About the Role

Medical Instrument Technicians (Anesthesia Technicians) perform logistical and technical support to anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists.

Responsibilities

• Independently performs daily checks in the process of monitoring equipment and anesthetic machines in the operating suite
• Complete required quality control tests on point of care equipment
• Teach nurse anesthetists - residents - house officers and staff physicians on the correct use and maintenance of physiologic monitoring equipment
• Set up and calibrate transducer monitoring equipment
• Assist with insertion of central access lines using sterile technique
• Prepare and stock all anesthesia travel carts and remote anesthesia locations
• Assist in positioning patients for anesthesia procedures such as spinal blocks
• Cleaning of all anesthesia equipment between cases and terminal clean at end of day
• Work with logistics - Service Chief and Administrative Officer to anticipate and find alternatives to backorder of short supply equipment
• Check all disposable equipment for outdates and remove them from stock
• Prepare primed Intravenous solutions for scheduled cases
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 0700-1530

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship - No non-citizens may be appointed. English Language Proficiency - Must be proficient in spoken and written English. No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapter 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates - GS-8: 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 positions to be filled. In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities - Knowledge of the correct use of invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology. Knowledge of basic electrocardiography (EKG). Skill and ability to troubleshoot equipment - often while the patient is anesthetized. Skill and ability to maintain sterility during procedures. Knowledge and understanding of arterial pressure line wave forms including the ability to recognize and distinguish normal from abnormal - artifact from abnormality - and forewarn the physician or anesthetist of an impending life-threatening situation. Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies - medications - and equipment appropriate to more difficult anesthetic procedures such as those found in inpatient settings with more acutely ill patients. Certification - No certification is required however - it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.

Skills

• Skilled in difficult intubation support and airway management - working collaboratively with anesthesia providers
• Experience assisting with cardiac anesthesia procedures and invasive line placement (arterial - central - and other hemodynamic monitoring lines)

Benefits

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include - but are not limited to:

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 prior [work experience] or military service experience

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 Authorized

Virtual

• This is not a virtual position

Permanent Change of Station (PCS)

• Not Authorized