Summary

This position is located at the Orlando VA Healthcare System in Orlando - 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 VA policy
• Education
• There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation
• Grandfathering Provision
• 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
• 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
• Preferred Certifications: BLS certification
• Preferred Experience: 2 years current GI experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7.

Duties

• The duties include but are not limited to the following: Demonstrates advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques
• Demonstrates the ability to plan and assist in the establishment of completely integrated treatment and examination programs
• Demonstrates ability to provide briefings and orientations - staff development and training to hospital staff including physicians
• Assist with training and mentoring other technicians - nurses - nursing students - medical students - residents - and fellows
• Knowledgeable of professional - legal - and ethical standards inherent to patient safety and rights
• Gathers relevant information to ensure patient safety during diagnostic and interventional procedures
• Demonstrates ability to research and test new methods - which are adaptable for patients on special research drugs
• Prepares written procedures and instructions for use of new equipment and for adapting this equipment to individual case requirements
• Performs diagnostic studies including assisting or performing approved clinical research procedures
• Responsible for coordinating research projects within their area of expertise
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the effects related to age specific factors - assisting special needs patients - ensuring those with physical or mental limitations are given the necessary physical or non-medicinal interventional support measures
• Demonstrates the skill to scrub - circulate - monitor and operate equipment on the most complex and non-standard treatment procedures for patients with multiple morbidities/critical illness
• Independently positions patients - equipment - associated devices - and manipulates technical factors to achieve high quality results
• Monitors the progression of procedures requiring independent judgement and anticipate need to provide specific instrument and/or equipment
• Demonstrates ability to assess processed image media for technical quality - and patient identification - ensuring that all relative anatomy is demonstrated
• Ensures medications are properly labeled and available for physician administration
• Demonstrates functional knowledge of the medications used - appropriate doses and side effects
• Demonstrates the ability to obtain a brief history from the Veteran and provide explanation of the procedure in understandable terms for the patient
• Recognizes and documents changes in Veteran's condition - reporting changes to the RN and/or Provider
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the need for initiating emergency measures when indicated and assist in response procedures for cardiac/pulmonary arrest - anaphylaxis - fire - disruptive behavior - bomb threat - external disaster - patient missing - and hazardous spills
• Promptly seeks the assistance of the RN or Provider
• Performs work in a safe manner providing a safe environment for patients - self and other staff
• (i.e. - universal precautions - isolation procedures - and body mechanics)
• Recognizes - reports potentially hazardous practices and environmental conditions
• Responsible for tracking all procedure specific supplies - maintaining equipment ensuring operability by performing routine - minor and/or emergency repairs and arranging for additional repairs if necessary - informing Biomedical Services of an electrically hazardous situation - reporting any loss of equipment
• Demonstrates respect for the individual Veteran - protecting Veteran rights - privacy - confidentiality - dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Maintains sensitivity in adhering to population-specific guidelines in the provision of care
• Demonstrates support of individual Veteran choices - control - preferred routines in all aspects of care/daily living
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday
• 7:30am - 4:00pm
• required to take on-call and work one Saturday a month
• 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) Functional Statement #: 81919F