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Summary This position is with the VA Central California Health Care System (VACCHCS) under Medicine Service. To provide technical support to the total scope of operation needed to operate the Gastroenterology (GI) Laboratory. The individual must use independent judgment in applying knowledge of clinical gastroenterology and proficiency to assist with operating and maintain equipment. Responsibilities Duties may include but are not limited to: Updates, maintains and reviews clinical checklists for cleaning, stocking supplies, and cart maintenance according to hospital policy and guidelines. Maintains a current knowledge on procedures, policies, directives and obtains needed information or decisions from supervisor on problems that come up. Ensures written instructions, reference materials and supplies are available to other employees. Responsible for setting up and assessing proper functioning of equipment by following manufacturer's guidelines for testing prior to procedures. Responsible for assessing and maintaining equipment supply storage areas in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines. Assists in the handling, cleaning, maintenance, safety, proper operation, and troubleshooting of endoscopic equipment and accessories; and maintains associated documentation as appropriate. Assists with biopsy procurement, labeling, tracking, and, transporting of specimens to the lab. Assists with post-procedure equipment care in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines. Assists with transporting patients to PACU after procedures. Performs cleaning and stocking of the procedure rooms, cabinets, drawers, video stand and monitors. Maintains stock items in procedure rooms, procedure carts, and stocks medical supplies in proper areas. Assist with specimen collection, biopsies, brushings, and transporting patients to PACU after procedures. Maintains, evaluates, troubleshoots, and performs on site adjustments for all technical equipment and accessories (i.e., electrocautery devices, video systems and components) as well as investigating multiple systems/equipment links to achieve desired clinical outcomes in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines. Serves as a liaison to hospital biomedical equipment repair section. Prepares patients for procedures and room turnover activities, including proper patient position during the procedure and attaching monitoring devices. Assists physicians and RNs in teaching patients. Participates in quality assurance, research studies and utilizes results of quality activities to initiate changes/improvements in practices. Assists charge nurse in ensuring working conditions in lab are safe, such as safety, lighting, temperature, ventilation, and area maintenance. Will place electronic work orders as needed. Assumes other duties and responsibilities that are appropriate to the position and area as needed. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 Policy. English Language Proficiency: MIT must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.j. 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". For all specialties identified in this standard Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. 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-4 MIT (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 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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-5 MIT (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 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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. GS-06 MIT (GI)Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to:Operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures under normal supervision; 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 .In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): a. Ability to set up endoscopy equipment, ensuring endoscopes and ancillary equipment functions properly b. Ability to aid the physician with standard and routine procedures such as colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). c. Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to assist practitioner with routine standardized gastroenterology procedures. d. 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. e. Ability to reprocess and maintain specialty critical reusable medical equipment (RME), following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and universal precautions. f. Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies. g. Ability to manually clean and disinfect non-critical reusable equipment and surfaces, dispose of onetime-use equipment and trash per facility policy, and restock supplies such as linens, suction equipment, and cleaning products. GS-07 MIT (GI)Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: Aid staff with procedures which are routine and standardized in nature; Explains the procedure to the patient to secure the patients confidence and cooperation; Position patients for procedures; Restock linen and consumable supplies; Set-up, clean, and ensure proper performance of the endoscopic equipment; Prepare the procedure rooms for turn-over, adhering to universal precautions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP); Logs procedure and reprocessing data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policy; Knowledge of basic medical terminology as well as common gastrointestinal anatomy. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) a. Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex endoscopic procedures. b. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to the GI system, with ability to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures. c. Ability to assist physician with specialized, complex procedures. d. Knowledge of universal precautions and disinfection techniques and ability to follow SOP's to clean reusable medical equipment (RME). e. Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service skills and interpersonal skills with all healthcare professionals to ensure quality and continuity of care. f. Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies. g. Ability to deliver patient care, including vital sign measurements and medication administration. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-07 Physical Requirements: Position requires pre-placement physical/labs to see if suitable for position. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.