Medical Instrument Technician (GI)

Summary The Gastroenterology (GI) Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) functions as a member of the GI/ENDO multidisciplinary team and assists the RN in the care of patients in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness. The GI MIT delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care with minimal instruction to assigned patients while developing technical competencies. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducation: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupationEducation may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levelsSee the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutionsLicensure or Certification: Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupationhowever - it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge - skills - and abilitiesFor all specialties identified in this standard - Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirableTraining which does not result in official certification does not meet this definitionPhysical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this partMay 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)Medical Instrument Technician Gastroenterology (GI) assist the practitioner in endoscopic procedures - such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) - colonoscopy - endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) - and endoscopic ultrasoundThe technicians ensure proper performance of equipment - set up equipment - and reprocess endoscopic reusable medical equipment (RME)Certification is offered by the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA) for level one and level two trainingGI endoscope reprocessing certification is offered through the Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)Basic Developmental Levels: GS-4 Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) 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 filledSix months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant - practical nursing - or similar fieldsThe remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupationExperience 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 occupationIn addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic medical terminologyAbility to learn the components - operating characteristics - and settings of the equipment to be usedAbility to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distressAbility to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conductedAbility to communicate orally and in writingGS-5 Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) 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 filledThis would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areasExperience 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 functionsIn addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructionsKnowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatmentAbility to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalitiesAbility to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or proceduresAbility to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble - clean - reassemble - and calibrate the machineGS-6 Medical Instrument Technician (GI) 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 filledIn addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to set up endoscopy equipment - ensuring endoscopes and ancillary equipment functions properlyAbility to aid the physician with standard and routine procedures such as colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to assist practitioner with routine standardized gastroenterology proceduresAbility to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure - recognizing disabilities or impaired mobility and assisting the patient as necessaryAbility to reprocess and maintain specialty critical reusable medical equipment (RME) - following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and universal precautionsAbility to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data - adhering to patient privacy and information security policiesAbility 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 productsGS-7 Medical Instrument Technician (GI) 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 filledThis would be experience which provided knowledge of proper performance of endoscopic equipment and proceduresIn addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex endoscopic proceduresKnowledge of anatomy and physiology related to the GI system - with ability to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during proceduresAbility to assist physician with specialized - complex proceduresKnowledge 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 careAbility to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data - adhering to patient privacy and information security policiesAbility to deliver patient care - including vital sign measurements and medication administrationReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-7. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this positionQuestions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Duties Major Duties Include - but are not limited to the following: Functions as a primary person responsible for knowledge and handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during GI procedures - such as but not limited to: argon plasma cautery - colonoscopy - digestive tract biopsies - esophageal banding - esophageal biopsy - esophageal dilation - esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) - percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) - polypectomies - sigmoidoscopy - endoscopic ultrasounds - and pill endoscopiesAssist staff with complex specialized proceduresEnsures all patients are appropriately prepared with IV access as required the procedure - maintaining strict compliance with infection control standardsAble to troubleshoot equipment and IT issues quicklyAble to place yourHTM requests or contact Biomed for equipment issues and notifying GI manager as issues arisePrepares procedural rooms for the performance of GI procedures - including the set-up/ testing of the video imaging system - computers and monitors - cautery units - pill cameras - data collectors - appropriate endoscope for procedure - specialized accessories and suppliesTurns procedure rooms over within an average of ten-minute time frameTurnover time represents the time from which a patient leaves the procedure room to the time the room is ready for the next patientResponsible for demonstrating and maintaining full competency in the use - pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipmentThe employee must ensure that the appropriate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and manufacturer's instructions are followed for any step in the use of RME and RME storage (pre-cleaning - reprocessing - disinfection - sterilization - maintenance) in which he/she is involvedPlans and discusses each procedure with the GPT professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the GI proceduresPrepares - organizes - and maintains GI set-upsObserves and responds promptly to each stage of the GI procedures and anticipates the needs of the physician and/or registered nurse by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of timeUtilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens - supplies - equipment - as well as follows all RME reprocessing protocol for high level disinfectionRecognizes potentially hazardous situations (i.efrayed cords - water on floor - etc.) and takes corrective actionAssists the GPT members with the care of the patient - i.e. - positioning - and obtaining suppliesApplies various monitoring equipment - i.eBP/O2 sat/ ECG - etc. - when assisting with patient preparationResponsible for the accountability of all GI instruments and equipment during the procedureAssesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materialsRestocks procedure room at the end of the procedure day - rotates stock in order to assure usage before outdated - assuring that the room is ready for procedures at all timesAssists the physician - and/or registered nurse with instrumentation necessary to perform the required procedure and treatment such as obtaining biopsies - performing polypectomies - inflation of balloon dilators - injection of contrast solutions and other agents during GI proceduresPrepares diagnostic biopsy specimens - assesses the adequacy of each - properly orientating the biopsy and placing in appropriate specimen bottle with appropriate labeling to meet pathology laboratory specifications during proceduresResponsible for performing final biopsy check with the endoscopist post-procedure - verifying that patient labels on the specimen are correctResponsible for moving the endo cart and all endoscopes and accessory equipment to the ICU - assist the physician with the procedure - perform RME bedside cleaning - and ensure that SPS is notified to up used endoscopesResponsible for ensuring that all specialized GI accessories - including - but not limited to - snares - injection needles - are ordered through Logistics in a timely fashionSpecialized - patient specific - items require consultation directly with the Gastroenterologist for proper sizing - etcThe MIT establishes good working relationship with Lead MIT and informs Lead MIT of any items that need orderedAssists in inventory and maintaining par levels of specialty equipment for the endoscopy unitFollows VHA Directive 1194 The Use of Unlicensed Assistive Personnel in Administering MedicationsTrain other technicians in basic endoscopic proceduresWork Schedule: Monday - Friday8am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: A relocation/recruitment incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized