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
• 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-04: Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-03) 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
• OR, 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the Education/Experience requirement, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs at the GS-04 Grade Level: 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-05: Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-04) 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
• OR, 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs at the GS-05 Grade Level: 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-06: Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-05) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs at the GS-06 Grade Level: 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-07: Full Performance Level Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-06) 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs at the GS-07 Grade Level: 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
• Preferred Experience: No certification is required
• however, it is desirable that employees at the GS 6 and GS 7 level to have BLS certification
• References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 PART II APPENDIX G27, MEDICAL INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-649 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-07
• Physical Requirements: The work requires average dexterity of all extremities
• The individual will be standing for the majority of working hours, but will also include some bending, walking, lifting, and carrying of items
• Work also requires moving and transferring of patients on stretchers and moving heavy endoscopy equipment carts
• Work may require heavy lifting of equipment of patients.