Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 54,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking an experienced Anesthesia Technician to assist anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists during procedures. The role requires setting up locations, maintaining equipment, and monitoring data from anesthesia devices in a busy surgical environment.

Advancement ranges through GS-4 to GS-8 with demonstrated knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and infection control. Certification at two levels is offered by ASATT, and basic life support certifications are

Qualifications

• Experience at least 1 year at the next lower grade level or equivalent
• Education: two years above high school or associate's degree, or bachelor’s degree in a related field
• KSAs: knowledge of medical terminology, ability to learn equipment, understand patient responses, communicate effectively

Responsibilities

• Provide logistical and technical support to anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists.
• Maintain anesthesiology supplies and equipment.
• Set up anesthetizing locations and operate, monitor, and collect data from anesthesia-related equipment.
• May perform clinical laboratory functions and specialized cardiac procedures as described.

Skills

Anesthesia equipment knowledge

Medical terminology

Monitor patient data

Circulating tech support

Education

Two years of education above high school or associate's degree (related field)

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

The Anesthesia Technician assists the anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist in routine anesthetic procedures. This position is located in Surgery/Specialty Service Line and reports to the Chief Nurse Anesthetist.

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. 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 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.
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• 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).

Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia)

Anesthesia Technicians perform logistical and technical support to anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists. They maintain anesthesiology supplies and equipment, set-up anesthetizing locations and operate, monitor, and collect data from anesthesia related equipment. In some cases Anesthesia Technicians will perform clinical laboratory functions, equipment preventive maintenance/repair, and specialized cardiac procedures such as cardiac output measurement, intra-aortic balloon pumping, vessel cannulation, and autotransfusion services. Certification at two distinct levels is offered by the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT).

Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

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 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.
• In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 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 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.
• 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-6 Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia)

• 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.
• In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  1. Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology (specifically cardiac and pulmonary).
  2. Knowledge and application of safety and infection control processes.
  3. Ability to serve as a circulating technician for supplies and to assist with documentation of hemodynamic patient data.
  4. Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to less complex anesthetic procedures, such as those found in Ambulatory Surgery.

GS-7 Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia)

• 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.
• In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  1. Knowledge of the fundamentals of standard equipment operation, calibration and function.
  2. Knowledge of correct use of non-invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology.
  3. Ability to appropriately interact with patients during anesthetic procedures.
  4. Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to routine anesthetic procedures, such as those found in typical inpatient settings.

GS-8 Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia)

• 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.
• In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  1. Knowledge of the correct use of invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology.
  2. Knowledge of basic electrocardiography (EKG).
  3. Skill and ability to troubleshoot equipment, often while the patient is anesthetized.
  4. Skill and ability to maintain sterility during procedures.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

Reference:

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-8.