Incumbent Performs logistical, and technical support, assisting and anticipating the needs of anesthesia personnel in direct patient care often during difficult situations. Serves as Lead (Anesthesia) Medical Instrument Technician who is responsible for the overall supervision and operation of the supply and equipment support areas of the Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care Service.

Duties

The Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine Service Chief or designee determines and defines the overall work goals. The incumbent is expected to adapt and prioritize known objectives to ensure patient safety is followed, with occasional supervision and moderate independent judgment. Handles problems and deviations in the work assignment using previous training, accepted practices, and with occasional guidance from the senior Medical Instrument Technician (aka Lead Anesthesia Technician). Guidelines include written policies and procedures, equipment manuals, handbooks, research articles, computer searches, and written or oral instructions from supervisors, equipment manufacturers, and biomedical engineering. The Medical Instrument Technician's (GS-9) duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Advanced technical expertise in the calibration, maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting of a broad spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic medical instruments and equipment. Many equipment systems consist of complex integrated computer controls with multiple interconnected subsystems. Requires knowledge, judgment, and creativity to adapt and integrate equipment to new or difficult procedures or settings (i.e., ability to modify a blood pressure manometer to measure CPAP in one lung ventilation). For all cases in or out of the OR Suite: ensures all drugs and emergency equipment are available; sets up, calibrates, and troubleshoots ventilators and all routine monitors; assists in preparation of IV solutions, medication infusion equipment, invasive monitor fluid lines and transducers; performs blood test analysis; and assists in monitoring patient vital signs and lab results as ordered by the anesthesia provider. Knowledge of pharmacology including the classification and administration of anesthetic gases, possible drug interactions and patient responses, and common dosages. Provides orientation and training in the proper use and maintenance of equipment and instruments and assist in the development and training of other anesthesia technicians. Oversees and provides guidance to other anesthesia technicians in carrying out their functions. Develops, writes, and maintains policy and procedure manuals. Other duties as assigned. Preferred Experience: Experience working in the Operating Room as a health tech/med. instrument tech or anesthesia tech, advanced technical expertise in calibration, maintenance, operation, and troubleshooting of medical instruments and equipment, knowledge of pharmacology including classification and administration of anesthetic gases, possible drug interactions, and patient response. Able to lead the team in support of the Supervisor MIT. Work Schedule: The schedule is to be determined by the Supervisor. Compressed/Flexible:This may be authorized at Supervisory discretion. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 03338-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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: 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. 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". For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training that does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Surgical (Perfusion Technician, Anesthesia Technician) Anesthesia Technicians perform logistical and technical support to anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists. They maintain anesthesiology supplies and equipment, set up anesthetizing locations, and operate, monitor, and collect data from anesthesia-related equipment. In some cases, Anesthesia Technicians will perform clinical laboratory functions, equipment preventive maintenance/repair, and specialized cardiac procedures such as cardiac output measurement, intra-aortic balloon pumping, vessel cannulation, and autotransfusion services. Certification at two distinct levels is offered by the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT). (See Appendix A) Creditable Experience: Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area. [Specialized developmental experience obtained under the supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.] Quality of Experience: Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled. GS-9. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level, positions at this level may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and duties. Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would include specialized experience as an anesthesia technician which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to provide all aspects of anesthesia technician services including specialized duties. 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 through 6 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 7 and 8 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment: 1. Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of laboratory testing procedures including maintenance, calibration, and quality control procedures. This includes the ability to perform these lab tests accurately and correctly. 2. Advanced knowledge of electronics and anesthesia equipment with skill in repairing and maintaining this equipment and repairing complex problems. *3. Comprehensive knowledge of central venous and pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheterization procedures including measuring cardiac outputs and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation procedures (i.e., balloon pump). 4. Knowledge and ability to assist with airway management techniques. *5. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. 6. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. *7. Ability to manage and supervise employees. *8. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training. Certification: Anesthesia technician certification through the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level. 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. Special Assignments: Perioperative programs at some facilities require that anesthesia technicians perform duties that exceed the full performance level. The anesthesia technician at this level performs difficult and responsible anesthesia technology duties with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. The technician may perform clinical laboratory tests for the unit (i.e., blood gas, activated clotting time, and glucose) or perform more difficult equipment repairs. The technician may also participate in large-vessel cannulations (with subsequent monitoring) characteristic of open-heart, transplant, and major vascular surgeries. These assignments are expected to be relatively few in number and must represent substantial additional responsibility over the full performance level. Lead Anesthesia Technician: There may be some perioperative programs that do not need a technician functioning at the full supervisory level. However, daily guidance of the anesthesia technicians may still be required and can be accomplished through a lead technician. Typically, the lead technician will only have the responsibility of seeing that the work flows smoothly, assuring coverage if needed, and assigning work. Authority to approve leave, take disciplinary action, etc. will only be assigned to full supervisory positions. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Leslie Doyle
• Phone: 9284454860 X6968
• Email: [email protected]