Summary

This position is located at the Miami VA Healthcare System in Miami - FL. The Gastroenterology (GI) Technician performs in a mutually supportive role and is responsible for the technical management of the endoscopy suites. GI Technicians assist the practitioner in endoscopic procedures - such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGO) - colonoscopy - endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) - and endoscopic ultrasound. The technicians ensure proper set up and performance of equipment.

Qualifications

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
• 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.
• 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-Documentation Submitted
• 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
• 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: GS-7 GI Technician (Full Performance Level) 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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the 1 year specialized experience - 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 Certification
• No certification is required
• however - it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in the Gastroenterology (GI) department - particularly with advanced procedures
• Knowledge of instruments - supplies - and equipment regarding GI procedures
• Assignment
• This represents the full performance level
• Technicians at this level function with minimal instruction - assisting the staff with complex specialized procedures such as ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
• They are proficient with GI endoscopic equipment and ensure proper performance of endoscopic equipment
• select alternate equipment or adjust equipment settings to accommodate patient needs and produce high quality technique
• They collect - process - and label all specimens
• train other technicians in basic endoscopic procedures
• work in and outside the GI unit offering technician support during emergent and on-call endoscopic cases
• and assist the nurse in patient care duties such as obtaining vital signs - dressing and documenting all pertinent information in the patient's records
• They inventory and maintain par levels of specialty equipment for the endoscopy unit
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Medical Instrument Technicians (Gastroenterology (GI) Technician) duties include but are not limited to the following: Responsible for knowledge and handling instruments - supplies - and equipment during GI procedures - such as but not limited to: argon plasma cautery - colonoscopy - cytology - digestive tract biopsies - endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) - Spyglass - esophageal banding - esophageal biopsy - esophageal dilation - esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) - percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) - polypectomies - sigmoidoscopy - BARRX (RFA) - and endoscopic mucosal resections (EMR)
• Able to contact Biomed for equipment issues and notifying GI lead RN & Nurse manager as issues arise
• Prepares procedural rooms for the performance of GI procedures - including the set- up/ testing of the video imaging system - ERCP - computers and monitors - cautery units - Endo Manager - 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 - maintenance) in which he/she is involved
• Prepares - organizes - and maintains highly complex GI set-ups
• Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens - supplies - equipment
• 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 - brushings - 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 pick up used endoscopes
• Work Schedule: 7:00am-3:30pm
• On call on a rotational basis
• 8 00 am - 4:30 pm
• Tour may be subject to change and is at the discretion of management and Medical Center needs
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 31980F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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)