The incumbent will function as an integral member of the GI team during procedures of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastroenterology (GI) Technicians assist the practitioner in endoscopic procedures, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and endoscopic ultrasound. The technicians ensure proper performance of equipment, set up equipment, and reprocess endoscopic reusable medical equipment (RME) *POSITION CAN BE FILLED WITH LPN

Duties

Non-supervisory GI technicians may have assignments that because of the nature of the duties, substantially exceed the full performance level. They assist with the most highly complex procedures such as mucosal resection and ablation, fine needle aspiration, and double balloon colonoscopy, using a variety of highly complex ancillary equipment. They train technicians and other staff to assist with endoscopic procedures; may assist with daily assignments of technicians, procedural room assignments, and ordering of specialty equipment. They may trial new equipment and coordinate major repairs or installation of equipment with vendors and other facility departments; arrange vendor training and other educational in-services for the endoscopy staff. They may serve on GI related committees, incorporating practice improvement measures. - Secures patients' confidence/cooperation during procedures. Explains the endoscopy procedure within technician's scope. Answers patients' questions during procedures. Position patients for desired results and cushions and shields patients as appropriate. Varies procedure or position to adjust to patients' medical condition. Per local policy, may administer medications under close supervision and direction of physician. Operates and maintains medical instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures. - Determines technical factors, sets controls and operates equipment and instruments. Sets up and adjusts specialized endoscopic equipment with multiple features that requires precise patient positioning to operate correctly. Selects and sets technical factors for invasive endoscopic procedures. Sets equipment parameters based on the patients' diagnosis or specific and/or individualized testing criteria. Make precise adjustments to clarify readings and measurements. Assists in the performance or independently performs invasive procedures. Uses practical knowledge of the location and function of major body organs and structures related to the gastrointestinal system. Assists during procedures by monitoring patient's condition. Recognizes deviations in patient's condition with input from clinician or RN and takes appropriate action. - Operates endoscopy equipment and assists medical staff with or performs diagnostic procedures used to diagnose medical conditions. Performs the full range of complex endoscopic procedures using specialized endoscopic equipment that requires precise adjustments to respond to individual patient conditions or test sequences. Sets up all equipment, accessories, or supplies. - Performs diagnostic tests and procedures by performing a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording, and reporting to appropriate personnel deviations in vital signs, taking specimens, labeling specimens for the laboratory. Arranges and passes medical instruments and materials to medical/health professional for a variety of diagnostic tests and procedures. Uses hot and cold packs, changes sterile dressings, cares for patients, and sets up and gives treatments that requires auxiliary equipment. Performs the full range of complex procedures and examinations for which endoscopic procedures involve delicate and exacting steps, the instrumentation is elaborate and complex, and the settings and measurements are very fine. Documents direct patient care duties and patient safety. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 4 10 hour shifts either 7:00am-5:30pm or 8:00am- 6:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: a. Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. 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. c. 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. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations"For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. d. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. e. 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 Grade Determinations: GS-8 (Positions at this grade may be lead or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments.) (a) 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 advanced specialized gastroenterology procedures. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 1. Knowledge of complex gastroenterology procedures, such as ERCP with spy glass, ablation procedures, mucosal resection procedures, fine needle aspiration procedures and capsule studies. 2. Ability to provide briefings and orientations to hospital staff including physicians. 3. Knowledge of regulatory and advisory agencies such as Joint Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA), American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and applicable laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). 4. Knowledge of medical terminology related to GI and biliary systems used to identify pathology or for specimen identification and procedure documentation and knowledge of advanced anatomy and physiology to recognize obvious abnormalities during procedures. *5. Ability to provide staff development and training. (c) Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have SGNA core level one and two certifications (BLS and ACLS). (d) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. 1. Advanced GI Technician. Non-supervisory GI technicians may have assignments that because of the nature of the duties, substantially exceed the full performance level. They assist with the most highly complex procedures such as mucosal resection and ablation, fine needle aspiration, and double balloon colonoscopy, using a variety of highly complex ancillary equipment. They train technicians and other staff to assist with endoscopic procedures; may assist with daily assignments of technicians, procedural room assignments, and ordering of specialty equipment. They may trial new equipment and coordinate major repairs or installation of equipment with vendors and other facility departments; arrange vendor training and other educational in-services for the endoscopy staff. They may serve on GI related committees, incorporating practice improvement measures. Preferred Experience: Procedural experience preferred References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 PART II APPENDIX G27

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

Contacts

• Address VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Eugenia Washington-Knight
• Phone: (931) 674-1430
• Email: [email protected]