Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia)
What you'd do
This position is located in the Anesthesiology Service, Audie L Murphy VAMC, San Antonio, TX. The Medical Instruments Technician will fulfill all of the duties associated with providing Anesthesia technical support including maintaining equipment, patient care responsibilities, annual/continuous training, administrative responsibilities, and provides a high level of customer service in the ORs & designated areas of responsibility within the service's broad and diverse customer population.
Major duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties: Assists Anesthesia staff as needed with connecting and operating noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment, blood and fluid warmers as well as patient warming devices. Assists Anesthesia staff as needed with connecting and operating invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment (arterial pressure monitors), Anesthesia Machines, ventilators, intubation bronchoscopes, and ultrasonic scanning devices, etc. Performs clinical laboratory tests for the operating rooms and the entire hospital, as needed. Properly disposes of all non-sterile equipment used in procedures and properly stores medications and sterile equipment within the Anesthesia lab and storage area. Serves as a circulating technician for supplies and assists with documentation of hemodynamic patient data. Provides assistance to residents in the SICU with Blood Gas, monitor set-up, calibrations and invasive line placements. Participates in the application of safety and infection control processes and adheres to all facility Bio Med and Sterile Processing and Decontamination requirements and regulations. Maintains and utilizes anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to less complex anesthetic procedures, such as those found in Ambulatory Surgery. Maintains Anesthesia supplies, medications, and equipment appropriate to more difficult anesthetic procedures such as those found in inpatient settings with more acutely ill patients. Troubleshoots equipment, often while the patient is anesthetized and utilizes invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology. Performs basic use of electrocardiography (EKG) equipment and correctly uses non invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology and identifies and understands wave forms including recognizing and distinguishing normal from abnormal, artifact from abnormality, and forewarn the physician or anesthetist of an impending life-threatening situation. Uses electronics and Anesthesia equipment with skill in repairing and maintaining this equipment and repairing complex problems. Assists with Anesthetic procedures in the ORs at Audie L Murphy VAMC and designated Units throughout the facility assisting in procedures such as regional anesthesia, (Epidural and Spinal), laryngeal mask airways, and monitor anesthesia while using knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. (Specific cardiac and pulmonary). Performs venous and pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheterization procedures including measuring cardiac outputs and intra-aortic balloon counter pulsation procedures. Performs as needed, will perform large vessel cannulations characteristic of open heart and major vascular surgeries. Assists in the transportation of critically ill patients to and from the Surgical Suites and assists under the guidance of an Anesthesiologist with intubations, medications and CPR. Communicates effectively and professionally with patients and employees at varying grade levels. Work Schedule: 6:30am-3:00pm or 10:00am-6:00pm and Call duty Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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 #: 54867-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. 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 certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". 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). Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) GS-09: Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would include specialized experience as an anesthesia technician which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to provide all aspects of anesthesia technician services including specialized duties. Certification. Anesthesia technician certification through the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of laboratory testing procedures to include maintenance, calibration, and quality control procedures. This includes the ability to perform these lab tests accurately and correctly. Advanced knowledge of electronics and anesthesia equipment with skill in repairing and maintaining this equipment and repairing complex problems. Comprehensive knowledge of central venous and pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheterization procedures including measuring cardiac outputs and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation procedures (i.e., balloon pump). Knowledge and ability to assist with airway management techniques. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. Preferred Experience: One year experience Familiar with blood gasses machines 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-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at GS-09. Physical Requirements: May be required, depending on the needs of the organization.
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