Summary

The Joseph M Cleland Atlanta VAMC is recruiting for Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) for the Anesthesiology department.

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.) Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation
• 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
• Grandfathering Provision: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards
• Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation
• Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation
• All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Physical Requirements: Functional Requirements Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds Both legs required Both eyes required Ability to distinguish shades of colors Environmental Factors Working around machinery with moving parts Working closely with others 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 Determination: GS 8: Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade (GS-07) level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1
• Knowledge of the correct use of invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology
• 2
• Knowledge of basic electrocardiography (EKG)
• 3
• Skill and ability to troubleshoot equipment - often while the patient is anesthetized
• 4
• Skill and ability to maintain sterility during procedures
• 5
• 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
• 6
• 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
• Certification
• No certification is required
• however - it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification
• Preferred Experience: The Lead MIT (Anesthesia) will assign the technicians to specific assignments as they become available during the course of the day
• When the anesthesia technician is assigned to a specific task and is not available for routine duties - the lead technician will be responsible for notifying another anesthesia technician of their assignment so that routine duties continue to be carried out
• Scheduling conflicts will be resolved by the Chief - Anesthesiologist or Chief CRNA
• Certification at two distinct levels is offered by the American Society of Anesthesia Technologist and Technicians (ASATT) References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27 MARCH 17 - 2006 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Duties

• The Anesthesia Medical technician (MIT) position is a full time position located in the Anesthesiology Service
• The purpose of this position is to assist the service chief in the coordination of the administrative and clinical duties
• The MIT (Anesthesia) practices within the PACU - Anesthesia Gas Lab - SICU and CVICU
• The MIT (Anesthesia) assist the Anesthesiologists - Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Anesthesia Residents in difficult anesthetic procedures under minimal supervision
• This includes pressure monitoring - lab work - and cardiac output tests
• Other duties include connecting and operating invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment (e.g. - arterial pressure monitors - central lines and Swan Ganz catheters) - anesthesia machines - ventilators - intubation bronchoscopes - and ultrasonic scanning devices
• The anesthesia technicians maintain anesthesia supplies and equipment in the operating room and in procedural locations outside the operating rooms
• The technician also assists in the positioning of patients for regional anesthesia
• The position requires knowledge of standard anesthesia monitoring equipment and supplies - a basic knowledge of the operation of anesthesia machines - a practical knowledge of human anatomy and physiology with emphasis on cardiac and pulmonary physiology - a basic understanding of infection control and proper sterile technique and the ability to interact with patients to provide safe and compassionate care
• In some cases - the technician performs equipment preventive maintenance or repair and contacts service representatives or the Bio-medical Engineering Service for indicated repairs
• Anesthesia technicians prepare and administer medications as directed by the attending physician
• They mentor and train 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
• Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 08:00-16:30 Telework: No Virtual: No Functional Statement #:Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required