Summary The incumbent in this position, located at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL. The incumbent is primarily responsible for the set-up, maintenance, and calibration of anesthesia equipment. Cleaning, restocking, and supplying management of anesthesia carts. Ensure that the preparation and maintenance of the Anesthesia flexible bronchoscopes, TEE probes, and other anesthesia scopes are in good working order. Set up of IV's, arterial and central lines. Responsibilities Major duties: Calibrate, operate and maintain the diverse physiological monitoring devices which are used to observe and record vital patient parameters, including temperature, ECG, EEG, direct intravascular and intracardiac pressures, cardiac output and respiratory gas levels. Maintain the anesthesia carts, a constant inventory of the medication, intravenous solutions, inhalation anesthetic agents, endotracheal tubes and many other expendable supplies required by the Anesthesiology Service. Assist the physician in draping and positioning of patients during spinal, epidural and regional block procedures. Ensure correct anesthesia equipment and necessary supplies are available for each anesthetic procedure. Ensure proper decontamination procedures when cleaning equipment or preparing reusable devices for sterilization. Prevent patient cross-contamination or the spread of nosocomial infections. Use aseptic technique when assembling sterile monitory systems or assisting the anesthesiologist. Assist with training on the Anesthesia Record Keeping System (ARK) system for providers and ancillary personnel. Manage anesthesia supply inventory and ensures appropriate level of stock consistent with department demand. Maintains sterile supplies within the expiration date. Initiate contact with Pharmacy/Procurement to determine options for obtaining needed pharmaceuticals. Maintain awareness of funds available in the Anesthesia budget. Maintenance of confidentiality of patient/employee information, electronic and print. Additional duties or tasks may be assigned by leadership to ensure efficient daily operations. Work Schedule: 07:00am - 3:30pm Monday - Friday Telework: not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 537-01576-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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: Must possess at least one (1) full year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Assisting anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in difficult anesthetic procedures under minimal supervision; Connecting and operating invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment (e.g., arterial pressure monitors), anesthesia machines, ventilators, intubation bronchoscopes, and ultrasonic scanning devices; Preparing and administering medications as directed by the attending physician; Mentoring and training 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; Exercising a high degree of independent judgment in anesthesia technology duties. In addition, you must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of the correct use of invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology. Knowledge of basic electrocardiography (EKG). Skill and ability to troubleshoot equipment, often while the patient is anesthetized. Skill and ability to maintain sterility during procedures. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification (preferred, not required) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: 1. The work requires standing or walking for a major portion of the work day. The walking will often require carrying supplies or pushing carts and equipment. Standing will require holding patients or stocking supplies. This may occupy half of the work day and will hence be considered demanding physical activity.2. A certain mechanical dexterity is required in the replacement of parts and the repair of equipment to restore or maintain operability after faults are identified.3. Maintenance of organized files for support documents, maintenance logs, inventory and other records. He/She will have to create inventory procedures, logs, and files where none currently exist. 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
