Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesiology)

About the role

The Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) performs logistical and technical support - assisting and anticipating the needs of anesthesia personnel in direct patient care often during difficult situations. Provides support and is responsible for the operation of the supplies and equipment support areas of the Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care Service.

Responsibilities

• Technical expert in the calibration - maintenance - operation - and troubleshooting of a broad spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic medical instruments and equipment.
• Services anesthesia equipment within level of expertise - performing preventative maintenance - evaluating and replacing worn or failed components and assemblies as needed.
• Orders - maintains and arranges allocation and distribution of anesthesia equipment and supplies to ensure timely availability for all anesthesia care providers in or out of the Operating Room Suite.
• For all cases in or out of the Operating Room Suite: ensures all drugs and emergency equipment are available.
• Sets up - calibrates and troubleshoots ventilators and all routine monitors.
• Aids in preparation of IV solutions - medication infusion equipment - invasive monitor fluid lines and transducers.
• Aids in performing blood test analysis.
• Aids in monitoring patient vital signs and lab results as ordered by the anesthesia provider.
• Aids in many intense complicated procedures including: controlled and emergent airway management - establishing and maintaining invasive monitoring - various medication infusion systems - positioning and transport of unstable patients.
• Recognizes abnormalities in patient responses to treatment - lab results or equipment function.
• Sets up and maintains existing infection control surveillance procedures as directed.
• Works safely with hazardous materials (i.e. - Sani-Cloth AF3 - Oxivir Wipes) using all safety equipment and procedures set forth by governing agencies protecting self and others.
• Assists in collection and documentation of all necessary statistics and quality control data as per VAPAHCS policy - OSHA - Joint Commission (JCAHO).

Requirements

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is desirable.

Qualifications

• Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation.
• 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.
• Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable.
• Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition.
• 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).

Skills

• Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology (specifically cardiac and pulmonary).
• Knowledge and application of safety and infection control processes.
• Ability to serve as a circulating technician for supplies and to assist with documentation of hemodynamic patient data.
• Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to less complex anesthetic procedures - such as those found in Ambulatory Surgery.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of standard equipment operation - calibration and function.
• Ability to appropriately interact with patients during anesthetic procedures.
• Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies - medications - and equipment appropriate to routine anesthetic procedures - such as those found in typical inpatient settings.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 11:00 am to 7:30 pm.
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized.
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized.
• 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 available.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.