Illinois Ambulatory Surgery Center AssociationIASCA

The Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) position is located in the Anesthesiology Care Line Service within the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock, AR. This position provides logistical and technical support, assisting and anticipating the needs of anesthesia personnel in direct patient care often during difficult situations. Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from another agency should apply under CBST-11589597-22-ML. Basic Requirements: U.S. 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-04 and GS-05 levels. Licensure or Certification. Licensure or certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-06 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). Anesthesia Technician certification through the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians is highly desired. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 2, Section D, Paragraph 5a. Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee), GS-04 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the KSAs and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. OR Education. Successful completion of 2 years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the Medical Instrument Technician occupation. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following: 1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. 2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. 3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. 4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. 5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee), GS-05 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the KSAs and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. OR Education. Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to Medical Instrument Technician functions. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following: 1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. 2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. 3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. 4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. 5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia), GS-06 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the KSAs and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following: 1. Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology (specifically cardiac and pulmonary). 2. Knowledge and application of safety and infection control processes. 3. Ability to serve as a circulating technician for supplies and to assist with documentation of hemodynamic patient data. 4. Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to less complex anesthetic procedures, such as those found in Ambulatory Surgery. Certification. BCLS certification is desirable. Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia), GS-07 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the KSAs and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following: 1. Knowledge of the fundamentals of standard equipment operation, calibration and function. 2. Knowledge of correct use of non-invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology. 3. Ability to appropriately interact with patients during anesthetic procedures. 4. Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to routine anesthetic procedures, such as those found in typical inpatient settings. Certification. BCLS certification is desirable. Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia), GS-08 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the KSAs and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following: 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. BCLS and ACLS certifications are desirable. Preferred Experience: 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. Advanced knowledge of electronics and anesthesia equipment with skill in repairing and maintaining this equipment and repairing complex problems. Comprehensive knowledge of central venous and pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheterization procedures including measuring cardiac outputs and intra-aortic balloon counter pulsation procedures (i.e., balloon pump). Knowledge and ability to assist with airway management techniques. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. References. VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27, dated March 17, 2006. The Full Performance Level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-08. Please see the Education Section of this announcement for additional requirements. ["The duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) in the Anesthesiology Care Line Service include, but are not limited to: Prepares, calibrates, and connects monitoring equipment to surgical patients. Responsible for gathering and preparing for use: electronic and mechanical equipment used for anesthesia induction and maintenance, suction apparatus, hypothermia blanket, and setting up non-invasive and invasive patient monitoring devices. Performs daily maintenance, trouble shoots failed leaks and malfunctions, makes minor repairs, calibrates machines, and keeps surgical cleanliness of all anesthesia equipment and supplies. Responsible for ventilators, CO2 canisters, vaporizers, electrocardiographs, O2 analyzer, electronic physiological monitors for recording blood pressure, pulse, temperature, infrared nitrous oxide analyzer, inhalation anesthetic analyzer, end-tidal CO2 analyzer, Swan-Ganz catheters, cardiac output computers and other newer electronic monitoring devices used in the Operating Rooms (OR). Programs and maintains the IMED computerized Volumetric Infusion Pump/Controller utilized by anesthesia personnel in Thoracic Intensive Care. Establishes anesthesia stations inside the OR and outside areas where anesthesia care is provided, such as, Interventional Radiology, Cardiology Cath Lab and GI Lab. Prepares and stocks anesthesia machines, anesthesia carts, local, spinal, caudal, epidural nerve block trays and Swan-Ganz trays. Responsible for setting up and checking the anesthesia machines, breathing circuit apparatus, cardiac monitors, monitors, suction, blood warmers, medication pumps, arm boards, and any additional equipment and supplies that are requested or required in the OR. Ensures disposable or reusable apparatus is available in each assigned OR prior to the beginning of the scheduled OR/Non-OR surgery cases where anesthesia care is needed. Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the anesthesia workroom and supply room. Maintains constant inventory of medications, intravenous solutions, inhalation anesthetic agents and many other expendable supplies utilized by the anesthesiologists. Processes endoscopes and/or other reusable medical equipment after each use in the proper manner according to Standard Operating Procedures and manufacturers guidelines. Calibrates, maintains and records quality control data from the blood gas analyzer, sodium-potassium analyzer and hematocrit measurement devices. May be required to perform laboratory tests in the OR and assist the anesthesiologist, resident and/or nurse anesthetist before, during, and after the delivery of anesthesia care. Removes all special and reusable material after surgery cases or Non-OR anesthesia cases and is responsible for cleaning in accordance with Infection Control policies to prevent the transmission of disease. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 5:30 am - 2:00 pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 00000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]