The Gastroenterology (GI) Technician performs technical and patient care functions during procedures performed at the Gastroenterology Procedure Suite under the supervision of the Physician or Registered Nurse. Assists physician in performing diagnostic procedures ranging from routine to specialized to include biopsy, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, and flexible sigmoidoscopy. Independently cleans and disinfects endoscopes after Gastroenterology procedures.

Duties

*** Bargaining Position *** The GI Technician assists the practitioner in endoscopic procedures, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, and endoscopic ultrasound. Has knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to the GI system, with ability to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures. He/she is responsible for the procedure room set-up and tear-down, specimen collection, and assisting the LIP and nurses during endoscopy procedures. Room set-up involves choosing appropriate scope and accessories for the upcoming case, assuring they are properly connected to processors, etc. Stock the room so all needed supplies are at hand and the cases runs smoothly. Maintain inventory and maintain par levels of specialty equipment for the endoscopy unit. The GI Technician will coordinate and carry out day-to-day operations of the GI laboratory and procedures and other tasks related to the efficiency of the unit. The GI Technician assures the next patient is prepped and ready in the pre/post recovery area preventing delays in the start of the next procedure, and updates nursing and physician of any possible delays/concerns. The GI Technician may also be assigned to pre/post recovery area and will be responsible for assisting in the preparation of patients, sitting with patients, moving patients including to and from other areas served by the pre/post recovery area, cleaning gurneys, acting as a runner and assisting patients during the discharge process. The GI Technician works in and outside the GI unit, including the Perioperative area to offer technician support and assist the nurse in patient care duties such as obtaining vital signs, transporting patients, cleaning gurneys, acting as a runner and assisting patients during the discharge process, and documenting all pertinent information in the patient's records. The GI Technician prepares patients for tests, examinations, and treatments. Independently contacts patients and collects standard information. Educates patients about colonoscopy procedures, indications, and provides information regarding the preparation and medications. During cases the GI Technician will be available and trained to assist with accessories such as biopsy forceps, sclerotherapy needles, and cautery equipment if the need arises. Positions patient for desired results and cushions and shields patient as appropriate. Addresses patient's questions during procedures. Is competent in administrating basic life support, CPR, and other resuscitative measures as needed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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 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) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual/remote position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years experience as Medical Instrument Technician in GI lab Familiar with Endoworks/ProVation Software set up navigation, printing, troubleshoot - ESU/Argon Beam/ERBE/APC - Neptune Suction/evacuation devices - CO2 insufflator and other equipment used in GI lab - Scope kit set up and transport - Administer submucosal injection injections (medications & tattoo agents) under direct supervision of physician - Obtain tissue specimen via forceps biopsy - Scope kit set up and transport Certificate of SGNA Associates Program Experience in Assisting surgical team during (OR) surgical procedures Customer service skills / experience

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/08/2024. 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. 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. Licensure or Certification. 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. Certification is offered by the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA) for level one and level two training. GI endoscope reprocessing certification is offered through the Certification Board of Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD). Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. Physical Requirements. See physical requirements listed below. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 Part II Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. 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-4 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 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. 2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. 3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. 4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. 5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. GS-5 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 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. 2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. 3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. 4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. 5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. GS-6 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 1. Ability to set up endoscopy equipment, ensuring endoscopes and ancillary equipment functions properly. 2. Ability to aid the physician with standard and routine procedures such as colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). 3. Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to assist practitioner with routine standardized gastroenterology procedures. 4. 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. 5. Ability to reprocess and maintain specialty critical reusable medical equipment (RME), following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and universal precautions. 6. Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies. 7. 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. Assignment. Technicians at this level aid the staff with procedures which are routine and standardized in nature. They explain the procedure to the patient to secure the patient's confidence and cooperation; position patients for procedures; and restock linen and consumable supplies. They set-up, clean, and ensure proper performance of the endoscopic equipment; and prepare the procedure rooms for turn-over, adhering to universal precautions and SOPs. The technician logs procedure and reprocessing data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policy. Assignments at this level require knowledge of basic medical terminology as well as common gastrointestinal anatomy. 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 1. Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex endoscopic procedures. 2. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to the GI system, with ability to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures. 3. Ability to assist physician with specialized, complex procedures. 4. Knowledge of universal precautions and disinfection techniques and ability to follow SOP's to clean reusable medical equipment (RME). 5. Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service skills and interpersonal skills with all healthcare professionals to ensure quality and continuity of care. 6. Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies. 7. Ability to deliver patient care, including vital sign measurements and medication administration.

Education

GS-7 Qualifications continued:

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.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G27 Medical Instrument Technician Qualification Standard dated June 7, 2012.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-7.

Physical Requirements: Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

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

If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.

Contacts

• Address VA TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS 2601 Veterans Drive Harlingen, TX 78550 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]