Medical Instrument Technician - Anesthesia

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 35,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is looking for Medical Instrument Technicians specializing in Anesthesia. This role involves supporting anesthesiologists by managing and maintaining critical medical equipment, ensuring patients receive quality care. Candidates must meet citizenship and education requirements and demonstrate key skills in medical terminology and equipment operation.

Qualifications

• Candidates must demonstrate ability to operate diagnostic equipment.
• Experience comparable to next lower grade is necessary.
• Successful completion of specific education required for higher grades.

Responsibilities

• Provide logistical and technical support to anesthesiologists.
• Stock and maintain anesthesia locations.
• Help during complex anesthetic procedures.

Skills

Knowledge of basic medical terminology

Ability to learn equipment characteristics

Ability to learn patient reactions

Ability to communicate orally and in writing

Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology

Education

Two years education above high school or associate's degree

Job description

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.
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. ***

Requirements

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.