Technicians at the Advanced GI Technician level may have assignments that because of the nature of the duties, substantially exceed the full performance level. This position is to assist the practitioner, nurse, and patient during pre, intra, and post care during gastro-intestinal endoscopic procedures. The location of the position is the GI Diagnostic Center at the San Francisco VA Medical Center

Duties

The endoscopy technician performs in a mutually supportive role and is responsible for the technical management of the endoscopy suites. Duties include contact with patients, families, nurses, physicians, supply representatives, repair representatives, and multidisciplinary staff in various departments and ancillary services. - Plans and discusses each procedure with the GI team and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to GI procedures. - Prepares procedural rooms for the performance of GI endoscopic procedures; this entails moderate data entry skills, setting up the instruments, testing the equipment for proper operations, ensuring the immediate availability of equipment, such as biopsy forceps, specimen bottles, polypectomy snares, retrievers, injectors, dilators, balloons, and electro-cautery units for proper operations, ensuring the immediate availability of equipment, such as biopsy forceps, specimen bottles, polypectomy snares, retrievers, injectors, dilators, balloons, and electro cautery units and accessory probes. The incumbent evaluates the functioning ad calibration of the monitoring equipment used during the procedure to ensure patient clinical stability and safety. - Works in concert with physician and RN to verify correct patient and procedures, acquire consent and educate patients in the procedure to be performed. The technician takes part in the pre, intra, and post-procedure care of the patient; coordinates activities of nit with other departments such as Environmental Management, Pathology, etc. to optimize flow of patient care activity in the GI/Endoscopy Lab. - Assists in obtaining biopsies, brushing, polypectomy, and inflation of balloon dilators; prepares diagnostic biopsy specimens, assessing the adequacy of each, properly orienting the biopsy and placing in proper specimen bottle with appropriate labeling; adapts to unusual, emergent situations or special requests of the physicians for the safe completion of the procedures; identifies and reports data relative to more complex, non-routine patient situations including subtle changes or variances in patient behavior or condition during procedure treatments. - Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care, blood glucose and obtaining peripheral access; positions patients for desired results, and cushions and shield patients as appropriate; varies procedure or position and applies abdominal pressure to adjust to patients' medical condition and/or procedure difficulty. - Performs routine maintenance checks and minor repairs of endoscopic and other equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidelines; assists in maintaining maintenance records; assistants in assessing needs for major durable equipment acquisition or replacement. - Ensures proper cleaning and disinfection of endoscopy room, procedural tables and stretchers, pre cleaning of endoscopes, endoscopic accessories and other reusable medical equipment (RME) in accordance with infection control guidelines and manufacturer specifications. - Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment. - Maintains adequate inventory of supplies in endoscopy rooms; inventories and maintains par levels of specialty equipment notifies management of deficient supplies and follows through on obtaining any deficient supplies/equipment. Work Schedule: 0730-1700 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: 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.) 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. 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. 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". 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). 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-8 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 (*): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, 3, and 4 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSA 5 is to be used as appropriate for the specific assignment. 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. Preferred Experience: Basic Life Support Certification, two years of Health Technician or Nursing Assistance experience. 3 Years GI Procedures/Endoscopy References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 PART II APPENDIX G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: Physical qualifications require the ability to perform all duties and responsibilities, including bathing, turning, and positioning, lifting, ambulating, transferring, and transporting patients. The use of special equipment and/or assistance may be necessary in lifting heavy patients. Must utilize good body mechanics in lifting and controlling patients. Must have good hearing, eyesight and bilateral physical dexterity, Must be clean and neat in appearance and must be emotionally stable and cooperative.

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 San Francisco VA Medical Center 4150 Clement Street San Francisco, CA 94121 US
• Name: Amanda Bodkin
• Phone: 925-356-5886
• Email: [email protected]