Clarification from the agency

This position is ONLY open to all current, permanent Federal Employees at the Salt Lake City VA Healthcare System and VA Nationwide Employees. ***If you are NOT a current, permanent federal VA employee, please apply to the public announcement CBSU--12930166-26-MD***

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*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until July 8, 2025. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be April 22, 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. ***

Duties:

• Functions as a primary person responsible for knowledge and handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during GI procedures
• Prepares procedural rooms for the performance of GI procedures, including the set-up/ testing of the video imaging system, computers and monitors, cautery units, pill cameras, data collectors, appropriate endoscope for procedure, specialized accessories and supplies.
• Demonstrates and maintains full competency in the use pre-cleaning of reusable medical equipment.
• Plans and discusses each procedure with the GPT professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the GI procedures.
• Observes and responds promptly to each stage of the GI procedures and anticipates the needs of the physician and/or registered nurse
• Utilizes universal precautions and follows all infection control policies and procedures when handling specimens, supplies, equipment.
• Recognizes potentially hazardous situations (i.e. frayed cords, water on floor, etc.) and takes corrective action
• Assists the GPT members with the care of the patient, i.e., positioning, and obtaining supplies.
• Responsible for the accountability of all GI instruments and equipment during the procedure. Assesses equipment needs and monitors adequate stock of supplies and materials
• Assists the physician, and/or registered nurse with instrumentation necessary to perform the required procedure and treatment such as obtaining biopsies, brushings, performing polypectomies, inflation of balloon dilators, injection of contrast solutions and other agents during GI procedures.
• Prepares diagnostic biopsy specimens, assesses the adequacy of each, properly orientates the biopsy and place in appropriate specimen bottle with appropriate labeling to meet pathology laboratory specifications during procedures.
• Performs final biopsy check with the endoscopist post-procedure, verifying that patient labels on the specimen are correct
• Moves the GO cart and all endoscopes and accessory equipment to the ICU, assist the physician with the procedure, perform RME bedside cleaning, and ensure that SPS is notified to pick up used endoscopes.
• Ensures that all specialized GI accessories, including, but not limited to, snares, injection needles, esophageal and are monitored for availability through Logistics in a timely fashion.
• Complies with all safety/fire prevention rules/regulations, using protective equipment when required and provided.
• Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in medical center/service level safety promotions as directed by the supervisor
• Knows fire drill and emergency plans for work area, including location of all emergency fire equipment.
• Takes call for afterhours procedures

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am - 4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: Not available
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 51890A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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

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:

• 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: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
• 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".

Grade Determinations:
GS-8 Advanced GI Technician

Non-supervisory GI technicians may have assignments that because of the nature of the duties, substantially exceed the full performance level. They assist with the most highly complex procedures such as mucosal resection and ablation, fine needle aspiration, and double balloon colonoscopy, using a variety of highly complex ancillary equipment. They train technicians and other staff to assist with endoscopic procedures; may assist with daily assignments of technicians, procedural room assignments, and ordering of specialty equipment. They may trial new equipment and coordinate major repairs or installation of equipment with vendors and other facility departments; arrange vendor training and other educational in-services for the endoscopy staff. They may serve on GI related committees, incorporating practice improvement measures.

GS8 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge of advanced specialized gastroenterology procedures.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of complex gastroenterology procedures, such as ERCP with spy glass, ablation procedures, mucosal resection procedures, fine needle aspiration procedures and capsule studies.
• Ability to provide briefings and orientations to hospital staff including physicians.
• 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).
• 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.
• Ability to provide staff development and training

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:

• 1 year experience as a Medical Instrument Technician
• SGNA Associates Program Certificate of Completion
• Certified Surgical Technologist (AST) .
• Registered Medical Assistant (American Registry of Medical Assistants [ARMA])
• Medication Assistant - Certified (MA-C) (National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
• Registered Medical Assistant (American Medical Technologies (AMT))
• Certified Medical Assistant (American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA))

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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.