TRAVEL REQUIRED:

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

RELOCATION AUTHORIZED:
Relocation expenses reimbursed No

KEY REQUIREMENTS:
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You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job

Designated and/or random drug testing may be required

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

You may be required to serve a probationary period

Subject to a background/security investigation

Must be proficient in written and spoken English

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/19/2019.
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 To be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., ch. 73 or 74, or to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA, applicants must be proficient in both written and spoken English

Preferred Experience: No certification is required, it is desirable that employees at the GS-6 level and GS-7 level have Basic Life Support certification. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Grade Determinations:

• GS-4: Qualifying Education/Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, qualifying applicants must have the following: Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the KSAs, and other characteristics and which is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, LPN, or similar fields. The remaining 6 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic medical terminology; Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used; Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress; Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted; Ability to communicate orally and in writing. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Tech practice appropriate to the identified specialty area. Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels. OR,
  Successful completion of two 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.
• GS-5: In addition to the basic requirements, qualifying applicants must have the following: Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, GS-4, which demonstrates the KSAs, and other characteristics and which is directly related to the position/specialty 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions; Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment; Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities; Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures; Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. 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. Part time experience is credited according to its relationship to a full time work week.
• GS-6: In addition to the basic requirements, qualifying applicants must have the following: Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level,GS-5, which demonstrates the KSAs, and other characteristics and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to set up endoscopy equipment, ensuring endoscopes and ancillary equipment functions properly; Ability to aid the physician with standard and routine procedures such as colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD); Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to assist practitioner with routine standardized gastroenterology procedures; Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure, recognizing disabilities or impaired mobility and assisting the patient as necessary; Ability to reprocess and maintain specialty critical reusable medical equipment (RME), following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and universal precautions; Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies; Ability to manually clean and disinfect non-critical reusable equipment and surfaces, dispose of one-time-use equipment and trash per facility policy, and restock supplies such as linens, suction equipment, and cleaning products. 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.
• GS-7: In addition to the basic requirements, qualifying applicants must have the following: Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, GS-6,which demonstrates the KSAs, and other characteristics and which is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex endoscopic procedures; Knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to the GI system, with ability to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures; Ability to assist physician with specialized, complex procedures; Knowledge of universal precautions and disinfection techniques and the ability to follow SOP's to clean reusable medical equipment; Ability to collaborate,communicate and demonstrate customer service skills and interpersonal skills with all healthcare professionals to ensure quality and continuity of care; Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient endoscopic data adhering to patient privacy and information security policies; Ability to deliver patient care, including vital sign measurements and medication administration. 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.
• Education/Training: may not be substituted for experience at the GS-6, GS-7 grade level.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-7.



References: VA Handbook 5005/54, Part II Appendix G27

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of which are in varying stages of unconsciousness. There are extensive periods of regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching, and prolonged stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments and supplies for the endoscopist. Incumbent must demonstrate dexterity in passing instruments to endoscopist without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the endoscopist. Incumbent must be able to operate a personal computer, patient monitoring equipment, automated high-level disinfection processor, related processing equipment, and procedural equipment. Work is performed in an environment in a variety of settings which involves everyday risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions. Work is also performed in an environment that requires proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) attire to be worn and adherence to the proper use of PPE attire. The Medical Instrument Technician has regular and recurring exposure to pure oxygen, blood/body fluids that may be infectious and require safety precautions. Follows and monitors OSEIA goals for life safety management, health and environment procedures. Reports safety hazards, accidents, and injuries. Follows, monitors, and reviews applicable MSDS policies, waste management and fire protection procedures.

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You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Read more Security clearance Other

Drug test required Yes