Summary

This announcement is for a Medical Instrument Technologist (Gastroenterology). The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Veterans Integrated Service Network 6 (VISN 6) - at the Durham VA Medical Center (VAMC) - located in Durham - North Carolina - within the Specialty Care Service Line.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation
• Licensure or Certification
• No certification is required
• however - it is desirable that employees at this level have BLS certification
• English Language Proficiency
• Medical Instrument Technicians 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
• Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Gastroenterology) - GS-6 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
• This would be experience which provided knowledge of proper performance of endoscopic equipment and procedures
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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 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 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
• No certification or registration is required
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level
• Assignment
• This represents the full performance level
• Technicians at this level function with minimal instruction - assisting the staff with complex specialized procedures such as ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
• They are proficient with GI endoscopic equipment and ensure proper performance of endoscopic equipment
• select alternate equipment or adjust equipment settings to accommodate patient needs and produce high quality technique
• They collect - process - and label all specimens
• train other technicians in basic endoscopic procedures
• work in and outside the GI unit offering technician support during emergent and on-call endoscopic cases
• and assist the nurse in patient care duties such as obtaining vital signs - dressing and documenting all pertinent information in the patient's records
• They inventory and maintain par levels of specialty equipment for the endoscopy unit
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G27 Physical Requirements: The MIT (Gastroenterology) must meet the physical requirements
• This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• For safety from radiation exposure the incumbent is expected to wear lead protective aprons when dealing with exposure
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• The MIT must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment.

Duties

• Major duties include but are not limited to: Knowledge and familiarity with all endoscopes and endoscopic accessories
• Performing pre-cleaning of endoscopes and endoscopic related equipment
• Knowledge and familiarity with all endoscopy related equipment (light and power sources - etc)
• Able to assist the physician with specialized procedures (EUS - ESD and ERCP) including the use of cautery and therapeutic injections
• Collect - process - and label all specimens
• train other technicians in basic procedures
• work in and outside the GI Unit offering technician support during emergency and on-call endoscopic cases
• Ability to collaborate - communicate and demonstrate customer service skills and interpersonal skills with all healthcare professionals to ensure quality and continuity of care
• Able to independently complete work orders if something needs to be repaired
• Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record/research data adhering to patient privacy and information security policies
• The incumbent will replenish supplies in rooms/unit as required
• Will independently contact appropriate department if supplies on the Unit are running low
• Incumbent will assist the Endoscopist and Nurse during procedures by preparing the procedure rooms and transferring patients into procedure rooms
• Assist during the procedure by assisting with obtaining diagnostic specimens by having the appropriate equipment and specimen containers available
• Expected to assume call rotation once all required competencies are completed
• Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required