Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees at VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS), this includes; Ft. Worth, Arlington, Plano, Grand Prairie, Bonham, Tyler, and Garland only.

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Duties include but not limited to:

• Pre-cleans all RME equipment (i.e., bronchoscopes, Glide scopes, Tee probes): Assists Anesthesia staff as needed with connecting and operating non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment, blood and fluid warmers as well as patient warming devices.
• Assists Anesthesia staff as needed with connecting and operating invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment (arterial pressure monitors), Anesthesia Machines, ventilators, intubation bronchoscopes, and ultrasonic scanning devices, etc.
• Performs clinical laboratory tests for the operating rooms and the entire hospital, as needed.
• Properly disposes of all non-sterile equipment used in procedures and properly stores medications and sterile equipment within the Anesthesia lab and storage area. Serves as a circulating technician for supplies and assists with documentation of hemodynamic patient data.
• Provides assistance to residents in the SICU with Blood Gas, monitor set-up, calibrations and invasive line placements.
• Participates in the application of safety and infection control processes and adheres to all facility Bio Med and Sterile Processing and Decontamination requirements and regulations.
• Maintains and utilizes anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to less complex anesthetic procedures, such as those found in Ambulatory Surgery.
• Maintains Anesthesia supplies, medications, and equipment appropriate to more difficult anesthetic procedures such as those found in inpatient settings with more acutely ill patients.
• Troubleshoots equipment, often while the patient is anesthetized and utilizes invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology Performs basic use of electrocardiography (EKG) equipment and correctly uses non--invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology and identifies and understands wave forms including recognizing and distinguishing normal from abnormal, artifact from abnormality, and forewarn the physician or anesthetist of an impending life-threatening situation.
• Uses electronics and Anesthesia equipment with skill in repairing and maintaining the equipment and repairing complex problems.
• Assists with Anesthetic procedures in the ORs and designated Units throughout the facility assisting in procedures such as regional anesthesia, (Epidural and Spinal), laryngeal mask airways, and monitor anesthesia while using knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. (Specific cardiac and pulmonary).
• Performs venous and pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheterization procedures including measuring cardiac outputs and intra-aortic balloon counter pulsation procedures.
• Performs as needed, will perform large vessel cannulations characteristic of open heart and major vascular surgeries.
• Assists in the transportation of critically ill patients to and from the Surgical Suites and assists under the guidance of an Anesthesiologist with intubations, medications and CPR.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with patients and employees at varying grade levels.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7am-3:30pm, 8am-4:30pm, 11am-7:30pm, 12pm-8:30pm; 2pm-10:30pm, Nights, weekend, and Holiday.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.
• Certification: 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".
• 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).

Preferred Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience that demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to provide all aspects of anesthesia technician.
• Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of laboratory testing procedures to include maintenance, calibration, and quality control procedures. This includes the ability to perform these labs tests accurately and correctly.
• Advanced knowledge of electronics and anesthesia equipment with skill in repairing and maintaining this 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 assistant with airway management techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels

Grade Determinations: GS-09
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.

KSA's: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 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.

• 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 counterpulsation procedures (i.e., balloon pump).
• Knowledge and ability to assist with airway management techniques.
• *Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. *
• *Ability to manage and supervise employees.
• *Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.

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.

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.

Special Assignments. Perioperative programs at some facilities require that anesthesia technicians perform duties that exceed the full performance level. The anesthesia technician at this level performs difficult and responsible anesthesia technology duties with considerable latitude for the exercise of independent judgment. The technician may perform clinical laboratory tests for the unit (i.e., blood gas, activated clotting time and glucose) or perform more difficult equipment repairs. The technician may also participate in large-vessel cannulations (with subsequent monitoring) characteristic of open-heart, transplant and major vascular surgeries. These assignments are expected to be relatively few in number ad must represent substantial additional responsibility over the full performance level.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 MARCH 17, 2006 PART II APPENDIX G27

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-09.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds over; Straight pulling , .50 hours; Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking, 4 hours; Standing, 4 hours; Crawling, .50 hour; Kneeling, .50 hour; Repeated bending, .50 hour; Climbing - use of legs and arms; both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16' to Jaeger 1 to 4; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Oral communication.

How you will be evaluated

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.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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

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.