Clarification from the agency

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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

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

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.

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, resume, 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.