This position is located in Anesthesia Service, Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS), Tucson, AZ. Incumbent provides logistical and technical support to anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in less complex cases. It maintains anesthesiology supplies and equipment, sets up anesthetizing locations and operates, monitors, and collects data from anesthesia related equipment. It is also responsible for equipment preventive maintenance and/or repair.

Duties

Supports anesthesia providers for certain anesthetic procedures such as holding the patient in position for spinal, epidural, and regional anesthesia and hands out equipment during intubation. Takes vital signs when anesthesia providers are not able to do so because of their sterile procedures. Sets up breathing circuits, O2 transport and emergency ventilation systems. Replace soda lime CO2 absorbers and perform breathing circuit leak test. Provides assistance to other units such as the PACU and ICU to acquire needed items in acute situations. Opens sterilized trays for regional block anesthesia. Responds to the requests for various errands for Anesthesiology. Picks up and delivers supplies as needed within the OR area and runs short errands within the Medical Center. Is a member of the resuscitation team. When an arrest code is announced in the hospital, the incumbent accompanies an anesthesia provider and runs to the scene carrying the resuscitation equipment. Cleans and inspects all anesthesia machines located in the OR and the PACU. Restocks breathing circuits, masks, and EKG pads. Replaces discharged batteries for the battery-operated instruments. Orders supplies, pin requests, maintains inventory. Receives, disassembles, and inspects reusable anesthesia supplies, monitoring instruments, and other anesthesia related equipment. Performs periodic service and calibration of monitors in the OR (EKG, blood pressure, CO2 analyzer, oxygen meter, temperature probe, anesthetic gas analyzer) in collaboration with biomedical engineering. Performs trouble shooting on anesthesia machines and monitors. Calls for the Clinical Director, Anesthesia, designee and/or bio-medical engineering when indicated in order to assess urgency and severity of situation to implement appropriate corrective measures. When instructed, performs immediate repair, substitutes alternate equipment, instructs users, or calls for assistance to solve the problems. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm, possible weekend call. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required.

Requirements

Qualifications

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: Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia), GS-08 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 positions to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of the correct use of invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology. 2. Knowledge of basic electrocardiography (EKG). 3. Skill and ability to troubleshoot equipment, often while the patient is anesthetized. 4. Skill and ability to maintain sterility during procedures. 5. Knowledge and understanding of arterial pressure line wave forms including the ability to recognize and distinguish normal from abnormal, artifact from abnormality, and forewarn the physician or anesthetist of an impending life-threatening situation. 6. Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies, medications, and equipment appropriate to more difficult anesthetic procedures such as those found in inpatient settings with more acutely ill patients. Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification. Assignment. This represents the full performance level. The anesthesia technician at this level assists anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in difficult anesthetic procedures under minimal supervision. The technician will connect and operate invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment (e.g., arterial pressure monitors), anesthesia machines, ventilators, intubation bronchoscopes, and ultrasonic scanning devices. Technicians prepare and administer medications as directed by the attending physician. They mentor and train lower graded technicians, nurses, medical students, and anesthesia residents on anesthesia technology procedures and assist the supervisor/manager with quality control and performance improvement activities. The technician will exercise a high degree of independent judgment in anesthesia technology duties. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27, Medical Instrument Technician Qualification Standard, GS-0649. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Bryce Thayer
• Phone: 8609643506
• Email: [email protected]