Medical Instrument Technician Advanced-Gastroenterology

Veterans Health Administration • Salt Lake City, UT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Advanced Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) is a member of the Gastroenterology Procedure Team and assists physicians, nurses, and other team members during diagnostic examinations and treatment procedures. Under general supervision, the technician participates in planning and carrying out complex GI procedures and is responsible for knowledge and handling of instruments, supplies, and equipment used during those procedures.

The MIT prepares and maintains procedure rooms and complex GI setups; tests and operates imaging systems, computers, monitors, cautery units, pill cameras, data collectors, endoscopes, and specialized accessories. The role includes performing Fibroscans and reporting results to liver providers, maintaining equipment availability and accountability, supporting patient care and monitoring, handling and labeling biopsy specimens, and following infection-control procedures and instructions for reusable medical equipment. The technician turns over procedure rooms, maintains stock, reports equipment and workplace safety issues, and takes call for after-hours procedures.

The position also includes training technicians and other staff, supporting highly complex procedures, and assisting with duties assigned by the charge nurse and registered nurses. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available; the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Must complete required background and security investigation and online onboarding requirements.
• Selected applicants in testing-designated positions must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must complete all application requirements stated in the announcement.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• At GS-8, at least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade demonstrating knowledge and skills related to advanced specialized gastroenterology procedures is required.
• Knowledge of complex GI procedures, including ERCP with SpyGlass, ablation, mucosal resection, fine needle aspiration, and capsule studies.
• Ability to provide briefings and orientations to hospital staff, including physicians.
• Knowledge of regulatory and advisory agencies, including The Joint Commission, OSHA, SGNA, and ASGE, and applicable laws such as HIPAA.
• Knowledge of GI and biliary medical terminology, pathology and specimen identification, procedure documentation, and advanced anatomy and physiology sufficient to recognize obvious abnormalities.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of endoscopic equipment and its use in basic and complex procedures, universal precautions, and disinfection techniques.
• Must be able to assist physicians with specialized complex procedures and follow SOPs for reusable medical equipment.
• Must be able to collaborate and communicate effectively with healthcare professionals and demonstrate customer-service and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data while following privacy and information-security policies.
• Must be able to deliver patient care, including vital-sign measurements and medication administration.
• Work requires setting up equipment weighing less than five pounds; tasks can be performed sitting or standing. Staff assistance is available for patient repositioning.
• Education used to qualify must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.
• Must comply with safety and fire-prevention rules, use protective equipment when required, and attend scheduled safety training.

Nice To Haves

• GI technician certification is not required but is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above.
• BLS certification is desirable at the GS-7 level.
• SGNA core level one and two certifications, BLS, and ACLS are desirable at the GS-8 level.
• GI endoscope reprocessing certification through CBSPD is available.

Responsibilities

• Assist physicians, nurses, and other team members during diagnostic examinations and GI treatment procedures.
• Participate in planning and implementing complex procedures under general supervision.
• Handle instruments, supplies, and equipment for GI procedures, including colonoscopy, EGD, biopsies, esophageal procedures, PEG, polypectomies, RFA, and endoscopic mucosal resection.
• Prepare procedural rooms and set up and test imaging systems, computers, monitors, cautery units, pill cameras, data collectors, endoscopes, accessories, and supplies.
• Place service requests or contact Biomedical Engineering for equipment issues and notify the GI Manager or Charge Nurse as needed.
• Perform Fibroscans and report results to liver providers.
• Turn over procedure rooms within an average of ten minutes and restock rooms at the end of the procedure day, rotating stock to prevent expiration.
• Demonstrate competency in pre-cleaning reusable medical equipment and follow applicable standard operating procedures and manufacturer instructions for equipment handling, storage, disinfection, sterilization, and maintenance.
• Plan procedures with Gastroenterology Procedure Team professionals and confirm supplies and equipment are available before procedures.
• Maintain complex GI setups and anticipate the needs of the physician and registered nurse during procedures.
• Follow universal precautions and infection-control policies when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
• Identify and correct potentially hazardous conditions and promptly report accidents and unsafe or unhealthy conditions.
• Assist with patient care, including positioning, obtaining supplies, and applying monitoring equipment such as blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and ECG monitors.
• Maintain accountability for GI instruments and equipment during procedures.
• Assist physicians and registered nurses with instrumentation and tasks such as obtaining biopsies and brushings, performing polypectomies, inflating balloon dilators, and injecting contrast solutions or other agents.
• Prepare, assess, orient, and label biopsy specimens according to pathology laboratory requirements; verify specimen labels with the endoscopist after procedures.
• Monitor the availability of specialized GI accessories through Logistics and consult Gastroenterologists about patient-specific items and sizing.
• Comply with safety and fire-prevention rules, use required protective equipment, attend safety training, and know workplace emergency and fire-drill plans.
• Support VA environmental stewardship goals through awareness of how work activities affect natural and cultural resources.
• Assist the charge nurse and registered nurses with other duties as assigned.
• Take call for after-hours procedures.
• Train technicians and other staff to assist with endoscopic procedures.
• Assist with highly complex procedures and may support technician assignments, room assignments, specialty-equipment ordering, equipment trials and repairs, vendor training, and GI-related practice improvement committees.

Benefits

• The announcement states that federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits are not detailed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed