MEDICAL INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN (Gastroenterology)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Bay Pines (FL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, FL is seeking a Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) for the Gastroenterology GI Lab.

The MIT assists the practitioner in endoscopic procedures (EGD, colonoscopy, ERCP), ensures equipment readiness, and reprocesses endoscopic reusable medical equipment (RME). Preferred candidates have knowledge of endoscopic equipment, GI anatomy, and ability to support complex procedures, with strong teamwork and patient care skills.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex procedures.
• Knowledge of GI anatomy and physiology; report abnormalities during procedures.
• Ability to assist physicians with specialized, complex procedures.
• Knowledge of universal precautions and disinfection; follow SOPs for cleaning RME.
• Ability to collaborate, communicate, and provide customer service across healthcare teams.
• Ability to use basic computer systems to record patient and endoscopic data.
• Ability to deliver patient care including vital signs and medication administration.
• Ability to assist with complex procedures such as ERCP and EUS.

Responsibilities

• Assist in endoscopic procedures (EGD, colonoscopy, ERCP).
• Ensure proper performance and setup of endoscopic equipment.
• Reprocess reusable medical equipment (RME) according to SOPs.
• Set up equipment and coordinate with GI team.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to ensure quality care.

Skills

Endoscopic equipment usage

Anatomy & GI physiology

Assist physician with procedures

Universal precautions & disinfection

Interpersonal communication

Basic data entry in computer systems

Vital signs & medication support

ERCP and EUS assistance

Job description

The C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, FL is seeking a Medical Instrument Technician (MIT), Patient Care Services Gastroenterology (GI Lab) Laboratory. The technician assists practitioner in endoscopic procedures, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The technicians ensure proper performance of equipment, set up equipment, and reprocess endoscopic reusable medical equipment (RME). 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. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels.
• English Language Proficiency. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j,

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).

Grandfathering Provision

• All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
• Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.
• Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
• Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
• If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation

Grade Determinations

GS-7 GI Technician (Full Performance Level)

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 proper performance of endoscopic equipment and procedures. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

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.
• 8. Assist staff with complex specialized procedure such as ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).

Preferred Experience

• 2-3 years recent GI Endoscopy Technician experience
• SGNA certification preferred
• BLS required

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-7.

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. 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. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.