Summary The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT)(Anesthesia) works in the Anesthesia Service, Operative Care Division, VHAPORHCS. They perform logistical and technical support to anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists. Responsibilities Aid anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in anesthetic procedures such as regional; the technician will connect and operate non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment, blood, and fluid warmers (e.g., Hot Line and Ranger) and patient warming devices (e.g., Bair Hugger) anesthesia (epidural and spinal), laryngeal mask anesthesia, and monitored anesthesia care. Assists anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in difficult anesthetic procedures under minimal supervision. Mentors and trains lower grade technicians. Assists staff Anesthesiologists to train nurses, medical students, and anesthesia residents on VA anesthesia technology procedures and assist the supervisor/manager with quality control and performance improvement activities. Sets up the anesthesia machines in each operating room prior to the start of the scheduled OR day, including correct breathing circuit apparatus, life support monitors, suction, airway gas monitors, medical gases and disposable or other appropriate equipment that may be required. An in- depth knowledge of Anesthesia machines, monitors, medical gas systems and breathing systems is required for first line trouble shooting. Maintains standardized Anesthesia Carts, Emergency Airway Kits, Transplant cabinet supplies, Urgent/Emergent Anesthesia Cart, Latex Allergy Cart, Malignant Hyperthermia Cart, Gastroenterology cart, Bronchoscopy Cart and Pain Management Carts to assure that appropriate drugs and supplies are available to the anesthesia providers. Assists and performs calibration of oxygen analyzers using piped O2. Any failure to calibrate must be checked in the same location with the working analyzer. Any subsequent failure to calibrate must be checked against tank 02. Any anesthesia machine that is found not to be dispensing an accurate FI02 must be removed from service. Reviews the surgery schedule and confers with anesthesia providers to provide warming devices, IV lines, pressure lines, and specialty catheters, including CVP, arterial, and pulmonary catheters. Organizes airway management carts for bronchoscope or video scope procedures. Set up and calibrates equipment and obtains and calculate hemodynamic data when requested by cardiac anesthesiologist. Knowledge of numerous specialty catheters and their required disposable arrangement is required. Assist anesthesiologists in placement of pulmonary artery catheters, central venous catheters, and arterial lines. In-depth knowledge of anatomy, catheter placement, procedural complications and sterile technique is required to provide hands-on assistance. Assists anesthesia providers performing regional anesthesia on patients. Knowledge of regional practices and related equipment and pharmaceuticals is essential. Removes all special and reusable material after each case. Disinfect and sterilize reusable scopes and Transesophageal Echo probes in accordance with Reusable Medical Equipment policies and Infection Control policies for the transmission of disease. This requires knowledge of decontamination and sterilization processes and procedures as well as their related equipment. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday: 11:30am-8:00pm Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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 [work experience] or 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 position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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/Training. To be creditable education must have been gained in an accredited Community College, College, or University Training. Completion of appropriate training such as in-service training programs, on the job training, training acquired while in the Armed Forces, government sponsored developmental training programs, and/or training under physicians certified in the functional area will be allowed on a month-for- month basis through the GS-5 level. (a) 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). 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 supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices. Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) 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. (a) 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 (): (b) 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 to include 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. (c) 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. (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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This position is at the full performance level. 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.
