Medical Instrument Technician (GI)

Veterans Health Administration • Iowa City, IA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Gastroenterology (GI) Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) functions as a member of the GI/ENDO multidisciplinary team and assists the RN in the care of patients in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The GI MIT delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care with minimal instruction to assigned patients while developing technical competencies.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• 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.
• 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).
• Medical Instrument Technician Gastroenterology (GI) assist the practitioner in endoscopic procedures, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and endoscopic ultrasound.
• The technicians ensure proper performance of equipment, set up equipment, and reprocess endoscopic reusable medical equipment (RME).
• GS-4 Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) 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 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.
• GS-4 Education: 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.
• GS-4 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.
• GS-5 Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) 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 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.
• GS-5 Education: 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.
• GS-5 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.
• GS-6 Medical Instrument Technician (GI) 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.
• GS-6 In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to set up endoscopy equipment, ensuring endoscopes and ancillary equipment functions properly. Ability to aid the physician with standard and routine procedures such as colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to assist practitioner with routine standardized gastroenterology procedures. Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure, recognizing disabilities or impaired mobility and assisting the patient as necessary. Ability to reprocess and maintain specialty critical reusable medical equipment (RME), following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and universal precautions. Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies. Ability to manually clean and disinfect non-critical reusable equipment and surfaces, dispose of one time-use equipment and trash per facility policy, and restock supplies such as linens, suction equipment, and cleaning products.
• GS-7 Medical Instrument Technician (GI) 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.
• GS-7 In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex endoscopic procedures. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to the GI system, with ability to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures. Ability to assist physician with specialized, complex procedures. Knowledge of universal precautions and disinfection techniques and ability to follow SOP's to clean reusable medical equipment (RME). Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service skills and interpersonal skills with all healthcare professionals to ensure quality and continuity of care. Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies. Ability to deliver patient care, including vital sign measurements and medication administration.

Nice To Haves

• Certification is offered by the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA) for level one and level two training.
• GI endoscope reprocessing certification is offered through the Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).
• 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 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.

Responsibilities

• Functions as a primary person responsible for knowledge and handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during GI procedures, such as but not limited to: argon plasma cautery, colonoscopy, digestive tract biopsies, esophageal banding, esophageal biopsy, esophageal dilation, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), polypectomies, sigmoidoscopy, endoscopic ultrasounds, and pill endoscopies.
• Assist staff with complex specialized procedures.
• Ensures all patients are appropriately prepared with IV access as required the procedure, maintaining strict compliance with infection control standards.
• Able to troubleshoot equipment and IT issues quickly.
• Able to place yourHTM requests or contact Biomed for equipment issues and notifying GI manager as issues arise.
• Prepares procedural rooms for the performance of GI procedures, including the set-up/ testing of the video imaging system, computers and monitors, cautery units, pill cameras, data collectors, appropriate endoscope for procedure, specialized accessories and supplies.
• Turns procedure rooms over within an average of ten-minute time frame. Turnover time represents the time from which a patient leaves the procedure room to the time the room is ready for the next patient.
• Responsible for demonstrating and maintaining full competency in the use, pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipment. The employee must ensure that the appropriate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and manufacturer's instructions are followed for any step in the use of RME and RME storage (pre-cleaning, reprocessing, disinfection, sterilization, maintenance) in which he/she is involved.
• Plans and discusses each procedure with the GPT professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the GI procedures.
• Prepares, organizes, and maintains GI set-ups.
• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the GI procedures and anticipates the needs of the physician and/or registered nurse by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time.
• Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, equipment, as well as follows all RME reprocessing protocol for high level disinfection.
• Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (i.e. frayed cords, water on floor, etc.) and takes corrective action.
• Assists the GPT members with the care of the patient, i.e., positioning, and obtaining supplies.
• Applies various monitoring equipment, i.e. BP/O2 sat/ ECG, etc., when assisting with patient preparation.
• Responsible for the accountability of all GI instruments and equipment during the procedure.
• Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials.
• Restocks procedure room at the end of the procedure day, rotates stock in order to assure usage before outdated, assuring that the room is ready for procedures at all times.
• Assists the physician, and/or registered nurse with instrumentation necessary to perform the required procedure and treatment such as obtaining biopsies, performing polypectomies, inflation of balloon dilators, injection of contrast solutions and other agents during GI procedures.
• Prepares diagnostic biopsy specimens, assesses the adequacy of each, properly orientating the biopsy and placing in appropriate specimen bottle with appropriate labeling to meet pathology laboratory specifications during procedures.
• Responsible for performing final biopsy check with the endoscopist post-procedure, verifying that patient labels on the specimen are correct.
• Responsible for moving the endo cart and all endoscopes and accessory equipment to the ICU, assist the physician with the procedure, perform RME bedside cleaning, and ensure that SPS is notified to up used endoscopes.
• Responsible for ensuring that all specialized GI accessories, including, but not limited to, snares, injection needles, are ordered through Logistics in a timely fashion. Specialized, patient specific, items require consultation directly with the Gastroenterologist for proper sizing, etc.
• The MIT establishes good working relationship with Lead MIT and informs Lead MIT of any items that need ordered.
• Assists in inventory and maintaining par levels of specialty equipment for the endoscopy unit.
• Follows VHA Directive 1194 The Use of Unlicensed Assistive Personnel in Administering Medications.
• Train other technicians in basic endoscopic procedures.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
• Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree