Lead Gastroenterology Medical Instrument Technician

Summary

The Gastroenterology (GI) MIT assists the practitioner in endoscopic procedures, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGO), colonoscopy, endoscopic ultrasounds, and other necessary endoscopic procedures. The GI technician maintains a high level of knowledge regarding endoscopic instruments, patient monitoring equipment, patient positioning and comfort, peripheral venous access, and proper handling of anatomical lab specimens.

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Duties

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Functions independently on all GI Endoscopy procedures, managing supplies and complex equipment. Maintains established competencies for the area of assignment.

Participates in the education and evaluation of competencies for other assigned GI Endoscopy technicians, providing input to the GI Nurse Manager.

Actively participates in and promotes educational opportunities for the service.

Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in GI procedural technology through continuing education courses.

Implements in-services related to inter-service needs i.e., collaborates with SPS and external customers (company representatives) to coordinate educational programs.

The Lead GI MIT will Collaborate with Nurse Manager on unit goals.

Train and sign off new MITs on checkoffs and competencies.

Ensure daily that all scopes are processed in SPS, received back in Endoscopy, and placed in scope cabinets with the proper tags and expiration dates.

Collaborate with EMS, SPS, Biomed, etc., to ensure equipment is maintained, cleaned, and/or repaired.

Maintain assignments/duties for techs weekly i.e., room rotation, float, travel cases.

Maintain all scope cabinet logs, MIT call schedule, and late rotation of the section.

Coordinate and maintain scope competency checkoffs annually.

Create and maintain Instructions for Use (IFU) binders. Coordinate with vendors to ensure that the MIT-required and requested trainings are scheduled and completed.

Collaborate with Charge Nurse to submit Maximo and Your IT work orders for equipment needs.

Monitors clinical functions, equipment management, communication/customer service, and safety and environment performance for all MITs.

Functions independently and assist the practitioner in endoscopic procedures, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGO), colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Also functions independently with other procedures such as Pill Cam, Fine Needle Aspirations, liver biopsies, paracentesis, banding varices, enteroscopy, endoscopic mucosal resections, stent placement, PEG tube placement, and other complex procedures.

Ensure proper performance of equipment prior to procedures, set up equipment, and reprocess endoscopic reusable medical equipment (RME). Plans and discusses each procedure with the GI team and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the start of the GI procedure.

Assists that provider by performing such procedures as obtaining specimen, cytology, injecting solutions, and suctioning. Correctly obtains, handles, labels, and submits specimen.

Ensure supplies are all reviewed weekly, tracked, and replaced when necessary (kept at Par levels), with daily collaboration with the Logistics team.

Practices principles of sterile and aseptic techniques, preparing instruments independently and without direct supervision. Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handing specimens, supplies, and equipment.

Follows all Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) protocols for high-level disinfection. Observes, identifies, and corrects a break in procedure and/ or technique by any member of the GI Endoscopy Team.

Identifies and/or takes action to correct actual or potential safety hazards concerning infection control, emergent malfunctions. Ensures MIT can identify and take appropriate action to correct safety hazards.

Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions and ensures MIT staff complies.

Ensure that self and MIT staff consistently communicate and treat customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner.

Ensure that self and MIT staff provide the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures and handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.

Follows and monitors goals for Life Safety Management, health, and environment procedures that align with governing bodies. Reports safety hazards, accidents, and injuries.

Follows, monitors, and reviews hazardous materials/Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)/waste management, fire protection, and follows emergency preparedness plan. Follows and monitors security policies/procedures.

Complies with federal, state, and local environmental and other requirements preventing pollution, minimizing waste, and conserving cultural and natural resources.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-3:00pm, 7:30-4:00pm, 8:00am-4:30pm and on call during WHEN hours. (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.)

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 629-01511-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements

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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 ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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:

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 which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition.

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: Medical Instrument Technician-Gastroenterology (GI) GS-8

(a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge of advanced specialized gastroenterology procedures. 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, 2, 3, and 4 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSA 5 is to be used as appropriate for the specific assignment.

1. Knowledge of complex gastroenterology procedures, such as ERCP with spy glass, ablation procedures, mucosal resection procedures, fine needle aspiration procedures and capsule studies.

2. Ability to provide briefings and orientations to hospital staff including physicians.

3. Knowledge of regulatory and advisory agencies such as Joint Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA), American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and applicable laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).

4. Knowledge of medical terminology related to GI and biliary systems used to identify pathology or for specimen identification and procedure documentation and knowledge of advanced anatomy and physiology to recognize obvious abnormalities during procedures.

*5. Ability to provide staff development and training.

(c) Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have SGNA core level one and two certifications (BLS and ACLS).

Preferred Experience: 2 years of recent GI/Endoscopy Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) experience (gained within the last 2 years); SGNA core level one and BLS certification is desirable.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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: 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:

Additional information

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.