Medical Instrument Technician - Anesthesia

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 30,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare administration is seeking Medical Instrument Technicians specialized in Anesthesia to provide logistical and technical support in operating suites. The role involves equipment monitoring, patient positioning, and maintenance of anesthesia devices, requiring specific qualifications and experience in medical environments. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in medical terminology and possess strong communication skills.

Benefits

Competitive salary and regular salary increases

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual leave

Parental Leave: up to 12 weeks of paid leave

Child Care Subsidy for eligible families

Federal health, vision, and dental insurance

Qualifications

• 1 year of experience in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment.
• Experience in medical fields like nursing assistant or EMT is a plus.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and maintain anesthesia-related equipment.
• Set up and calibrate monitoring devices.
• Assist anesthesiologists and provide patient care during procedures.

Skills

Knowledge of basic medical terminology

Ability to communicate orally and in writing

Ability to learn equipment operating characteristics

Education

Associate's degree in a major field of study related to medical instrument technician

Job description

Summary

Medical Instrument Technicians - Anesthesia perform logistical and technical support to anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists. Anesthesia Technicians will connect and maintain invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment - anesthesia machines - ventilators - bronchoscopes - and ultrasound devices. They will stock and clean Anesthesia locations in the Operating suite and remote locations throughout the VA SLCHCS. The technician will exercise a high degree of independent judgment in their duties.

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: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• Grade Determinations: GS4 Experience or Education: 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 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA's): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic medical terminology Ability to learn the components - operating characteristics - and settings of the equipment to be used Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted Ability to communicate orally and in writing GS5 Experience or Education: 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 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA's): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble - clean - reassemble - and calibrate the machine GS6 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSA's): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology (specifically cardiac and pulmonary) Knowledge and application of safety and infection control processes Ability to serve as a circulating technician for supplies and to assist with documentation of hemodynamic patient data Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to less complex anesthetic procedures - such as those found in Ambulatory Surgery Certification: No certification is required
• however - it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification
• GS7 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSA's): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of the fundamentals of standard equipment operation - calibration and function Knowledge of correct use of non-invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology Ability to appropriately interact with patients during anesthetic procedures Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to routine anesthetic procedures - such as those found in typical inpatient settings Certification: No certification is required
• however - it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification
• GS8 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSA's): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of the correct use of invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology Knowledge of basic electrocardiography (EKG) Skill and ability to troubleshoot equipment - often while the patient is anesthetized Skill and ability to maintain sterility during procedures 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 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 Preferred Experience: GS-4: New graduate - Limited medical experience - CNA - MA - LPN - EMT (0-1 years)
• GS-5 - Medical experience CNA - MA - LPN - EMT (>1 years)
• GS-6 - Medical experience CNA - MA - LPN - EMT (>2 years)
• GS-7 - Medical experience CNA - MA - LPN - EMT (>3 years)
• GS-8 - Medical experience CNA - MA - LPN - EMT (>4 years) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS8
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS4 to GS8
• Physical Requirements: The position involves considerable standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting - and turning
• It requires restraining confused patients - repositioning patients - assisting with transferring patients to Wheelchairs/stretchers/cars - and transporting them to other departments or facilities
• Mechanical devices available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients
• The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs
• 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
• This position requires visual acuity - good hearing - distinctive speech and manual dexterity
• The position requires the tech to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect his/herself from physically abusive patients.

Duties

• *** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until July 11 - 2025
• The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be June 10 - 2025
• 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
• *** Independently performs daily checks in the process of monitoring equipment and anesthetic machines in the operating suite
• Performs point of care laboratory testing including I-stat and glucometer
• Completes required quality control tests on point of care equipment
• Teaches nurse anesthetists - medical students - house officers and staff physicians on the correct use and maintenance of physiologic monitoring equipment
• Sets up and calibrates transducer monitoring equipment
• Assists with insertion of central access lines using sterile technique
• Prepares and stocks all anesthesia travel carts - and remote anesthesia locations
• Assists in positioning patients for anesthesia procedures such as spinal blocks
• Cleans all anesthesia equipment between cases and terminal clean at end of day
• Works with logistics and Chief CRNA to anticipate and find alternatives to backorder or short supply equipment
• Checks all disposable equipment for outdates and remove them from stock
• Prepares primed Intravenous solutions for scheduled cases
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30AM-5PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 608050 - 608060 - 608070 - 608080 - 608090 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized