Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia)

Veterans Health Administration • Hampton, VA

19h • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) is an allied health care professional and essential member of the Anesthesia Care Team, supporting the Anesthesiology Service at the VA Hampton Healthcare System. The MIT helps deliver high-quality, safe, cost-effective, and efficacious patient care, including support for difficult anesthetic procedures and specialized airway management.

The position requires independent judgment and the ability to operate, assemble, and troubleshoot anesthesia and patient-monitoring equipment. The MIT also prepares and administers medications as directed by the attending physician, mentors and trains other clinical staff and learners, and assists with quality control and performance improvement activities.

This is a permanent, full-time position with a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-08. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exceptions for non-citizens.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, demonstrating knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the position.
• Knowledge of the correct use of invasive patient-monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology.
• Knowledge of basic electrocardiography (EKG).
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment, including while a patient is anesthetized.
• Ability to maintain sterility during procedures.
• Knowledge of arterial pressure-line waveforms and ability to distinguish normal from abnormal readings and artifact from abnormality, and to alert the physician or anesthetist to an impending life-threatening situation.
• Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies, medications, and equipment appropriate to more difficult anesthetic procedures, including those involving acutely ill inpatients.
• Meet pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation and physical evaluation/examination; selected applicants must complete onboarding requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as specified by the agency.
• Physical capabilities include visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity of both hands; ability to walk, stand, push, pull, stoop, bend, twist, and potentially exert strenuous effort for extended periods; lift or carry up to 35 pounds intermittently; and reach above the shoulders with both hands.
• Maintain a calm and efficient demeanor while troubleshooting and operating monitoring equipment in stressful Operating Room situations.

Nice To Haves

• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable; certification is not required.
• Operating room experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists with difficult anesthetic procedures under minimal supervision.
• Connect and operate invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment, including arterial pressure monitors, anesthesia machines, ventilators, intubation bronchoscopes, and ultrasonic scanning devices.
• Prepare and administer medications as directed by the attending physician.
• Mentor and train lower-graded technicians, nurses, medical students, and anesthesia residents on anesthesia technology procedures.
• Assist the supervisor or manager with quality control and performance improvement activities.
• Exercise independent judgment in anesthesia technology duties.
• Make available and assemble specialized equipment used for difficult airway management, and assist in its operation.
• Frequently push and pull carts and anesthesia machines within the Operating Room and between floors of the Medical Center; independently maneuver machines weighing approximately 400 pounds.
• Transport Veterans and objects as required.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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