Medical Instrument Technician Advanced-Gastroenterology

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 50,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a capable Advanced Medical Instrument Technician (GI) to assist in diagnostic endoscopic procedures such as EGD, colonoscopy, ERCP, and EUS.

The role involves equipment setup, reprocessing RME, and supporting the GI team in both routine and complex cases. Candidates should have knowledge of GI anatomy, ability to train staff, and maintain quality patient care with adherence to privacy and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex procedures.
• Knowledge of GI anatomy and physiology and ability to recognize abnormalities during procedures.
• Ability to assist physicians with specialized, complex GI procedures.
• Knowledge of universal precautions and infection control.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care.
• Ability to document patient data and protect privacy in electronic systems.

Responsibilities

• Assist physician, nurse manager, and RN during diagnostic examinations or procedures.
• Set up and reprocess endoscopic reusable medical equipment (RME).
• Train other technicians in basic endoscopic procedures.
• Inventory and maintain GI endoscopy equipment and supplies.
• Provide patient care, including vital signs and documentation in records.

Skills

Endoscopic equipment

GI anatomy

Assist procedures

Collaboration & communication

Basic computer skills

Patient care

Tools

GI endoscopy equipment

Job description

The Advanced Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) is a member of the Gastroenterology Procedure Team (GPT) provides assistance to the physician, nurse manager, registered nurse, & other team members during diagnostic examinations or medical treatment procedures as part of the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The MIT participates with the GPT members in planning & implementing complex procedures under the general supervision of the physician, nurse manager, & registered nurse.

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 12/21/2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 11/02/2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Gastroenterology (GI) Technicians assist the practitioner in endoscopic procedures, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and endoscopic ultrasound. The 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 training. GI endoscope reprocessing certification is offered through the Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).

Grade Determinations

GS-7 GI Technician (Full Performance 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex endoscopic procedures.
2. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to the GI system, with ability to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures.
3. Ability to assist physician with specialized, complex procedures.
4. Knowledge of universal precautions and disinfection techniques and ability to follow SOP's to clean reusable medical equipment (RME).
5. Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service skills and interpersonal skills with all healthcare professionals to ensure quality and continuity of care
6. Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies.
7. Ability to deliver patient care, including vital sign measurements and medication administration.

Certification

No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BLS certification.

GS-8 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 filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge of advanced specialized gastroenterology procedures. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*).

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge of complex gastroenterology procedures, such as ERCP with spy glass, ablation procedures, mucosal resection procedures, fine needle aspiration procedures and capsule studies.
2. Ability to provide briefings and orientations to hospital staff including physicians.
3. Knowledge of regulatory and advisory agencies such as Joint Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA), American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and applicable laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
4. Knowledge of medical terminology related to GI and biliary systems used to identify pathology or for specimen identification and procedure documentation and knowledge of advanced anatomy and physiology to recognize obvious abnormalities during procedures.*5. Ability to provide staff development and training.

Certification

No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have SGNA core level one and two certifications (BLS and ACLS).

Assignments

For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Advanced GI Technician

Non-supervisory GI technicians may have assignments that because of the nature of the duties, substantially exceed the full performance level. They assist with the most highly complex procedures such as mucosal resection and ablation, fine needle aspiration, and double balloon colonoscopy, using a variety of highly complex ancillary equipment. They train technicians and other staff to assist with endoscopic procedures; may assist with daily assignments of technicians, procedural room assignments, and ordering of specialty equipment. They may trial new equipment and coordinate major repairs or installation of equipment with vendors and other facility departments; arrange vendor training and other educational in‑services for the endoscopy staff. They may serve on GI related committees, incorporating practice improvement measures.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

The work requires setting up and assist with procedures per bedside. These procedures require setting up equipment less than 5lbs. Any physical demand can be done sitting and/or standing. If there is assistance required toreposition a patient there is staff that can be called upon to assist with repositioning needs.