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 (GPT) and assists physicians, nurses, and other team members during diagnostic examinations and medical treatment procedures. Under general supervision, the MIT participates in planning and carrying out complex GI procedures, serving as a primary resource for GI instruments, supplies, and equipment.

The MIT prepares and maintains procedure rooms and complex GI setups; tests imaging systems and other equipment; ensures supplies and specialty accessories are available; and supports procedures including colonoscopy, EGD, ERCP, ablation, mucosal resection, biopsies, polypectomies, and other advanced endoscopic procedures. The role includes performing Fibroscans, preparing and verifying biopsy specimens, assisting with patient positioning and monitoring, and maintaining accountability for instruments and equipment. The technician follows infection-control procedures and applicable SOPs and manufacturer instructions for reusable medical equipment, reports equipment or safety issues, and maintains room readiness and inventory.

The position also includes training technicians and other staff, supporting emergent and after-hours procedures through call coverage, and assisting the charge nurse and registered nurses with other duties as assigned. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. The position is an advanced, nonsupervisory GI technician assignment involving highly complex procedures and equipment.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level demonstrating knowledge and skills related to the position and advanced specialized gastroenterology procedures.
• Knowledge of complex gastroenterology 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 privacy requirements such as HIPAA.
• Knowledge of GI and biliary medical terminology and advanced anatomy and physiology sufficient to identify pathology or specimens, document procedures, and recognize obvious abnormalities.
• Ability to provide staff development and training.
• Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and its use in basic and complex endoscopic procedures.
• Ability to assist physicians with specialized and complex procedures.
• Knowledge of universal precautions and disinfection techniques, and ability to follow SOPs for cleaning reusable medical equipment.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with healthcare professionals and demonstrate customer-service and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data while following privacy and information-security policies.
• Ability to provide patient care, including measuring vital signs and administering medication, as applicable to the grade-level qualification criteria.
• Must complete required background and security investigation and online onboarding; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment drug testing.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition of employment.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, as specified for the appointment.
• Must satisfy application and identification-document requirements described in the announcement.
• No license or certification is required for the occupation.

Nice To Haves

• Licensure or certification is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above.
• Basic Life Support (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.

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 and maintain instruments, supplies, and equipment for GI procedures, including advanced endoscopic procedures.
• Prepare procedure rooms and complex GI setups; set up and test imaging systems, computers, monitors, cautery units, cameras, data collectors, endoscopes, accessories, and supplies.
• Submit equipment service requests or contact Biomedical Engineering and notify the GI Manager or Charge Nurse about equipment issues.
• Perform Fibroscans and report results to liver providers.
• Turn over procedure rooms within an average of ten minutes and maintain room readiness.
• Pre-clean, disinfect, sterilize, maintain, and store reusable medical equipment in accordance with SOPs and manufacturer instructions, as applicable to assigned duties.
• Plan procedures with the GPT and confirm that required supplies and equipment are available.
• Anticipate physician and nurse needs and provide instrumentation and other support during procedures.
• Follow universal precautions and infection-control procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.
• Identify hazardous conditions and take corrective action; report accidents and unsafe or unhealthy workplace 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; restock rooms and rotate supplies to use stock before expiration.
• Assist with procedure-related tasks such as obtaining biopsies and brushings, polypectomies, balloon dilation, and injection of contrast or other agents.
• Prepare, assess, orient, and label biopsy specimens according to pathology laboratory requirements, and verify specimen labels with the endoscopist after procedures.
• Monitor availability of specialized GI accessories through Logistics and consult with gastroenterologists regarding patient-specific items and sizing.
• Comply with safety and fire-prevention rules, use required protective equipment, attend scheduled safety training, and know local fire-drill and emergency plans.
• Support VA environmental stewardship practices and relevant environmental, public health, and resource-protection requirements.
• Take call for after-hours procedures.
• Train technicians and other staff to assist with endoscopic procedures.
• Assist the charge nurse and registered nurses with other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal service or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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