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Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
VA Boston Healthcare System

Summary

This Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) position is located in the Anesthesiology Service, located at the West Roxbury, MA campus. This is a Full-time position 40 hours per week.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$41,236 - $82,275 per year

Salary Range is GS 4 step 1 to GS 8 step 10

Pay scale & grade
GS 4 - 8
Promotion potential
8
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBTD-13099587-27-JM
Control number
891570600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees only. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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Duties

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The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT), Anesthesiology serves as a medical administrative support person and assists in the coordination of associated administrative duties, as well as clinical duties for the delivery of anesthesiology care. He/she also assumes all technical and safety maintenance pre- and post- procedures for all equipment used in the anesthesia support. MIT, Anesthesiology performs logistical and technical support, assisting and anticipating the needs of anesthesia personnel in direct patient care often during difficult situations. Provides support and is responsible for the operation of the supply and equipment support areas of the anesthesia department.

Major Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Updates, maintains, and reviews clinical logs for sterilization procedures/protocols according to all applicable guidelines.
  • Developing/maintaining Quality Management monitors for infection control and complications.
  • Purchasing/ordering new equipment, maintaining supplies/inventories and stocks for equipment. Maintains all records, logs, and documentation for equipment ordering.
  • Arranges in-services/meetings with company representatives/vendors for new equipment or as needs arise.
  • Performs maintenance of all anesthesia equipment including inspection, leak testing, cleaning. Performs biological monitoring of sterilizer as required by policy.
  • Provides in-service training and education to new employees and other hospital personnel regarding the cleaning, maintenance, safety, proper operation, and troubleshooting of equipment and accessories; maintains associated documentation as appropriate.
  • Assist physicians by setting up appropriate equipment and providing technical support. Assists with post-procedure equipment care, log and transport as needed.
  • Serves as a liaison to service and facility purchasing department as well as outside vendors.
  • Coordinates equipment repairs, schedules routine maintenance and safety check, arranges for loaner equipment when appropriate, makes appropriate recommendations regarding repairing/replacing equipment, and maintains documentation of equipment repair expenditures and safety checks.
  • Maintains, evaluates, troubleshoots, and performs on site adjustments for all technical equipment and accessories (i.e. monitors, video systems and components), as well as investigating multiple systems/equipment links to achieve desired clinical outcomes.
  • Prepares patients for procedures and room turnover activities, including proper patient position during the procedure and attaching monitoring devices.
  • Performs cleaning and stocking of the procedure rooms, cabinets/drawers, video stand, and monitors. Maintains stock items in procedure rooms and procedure and stocks medication in proper areas.
  • Responsible for imaging equipment used during the procedures and assists with updating log of all procedures.
  • Initiates and participates in quality assurance, research studies and utilizes results of quality activities to initiate changes in practices, as indicated.
  • Oversee the daily work of the Medical Supply Techs assigned to all three campuses within the facility. Ensures adherence to proper procedures and standards as stated in applicable directives and policy.
  • Assumes other duties and responsibilities that are appropriate to the position and area as needed.
Work Schedule: Will be discussed during the interview.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a Virtual position
Functional Statement #: PD523-F1450, PD523-F1451, PD523-F1452, PD523-F1453, and PD523-F1454
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Notifications:
  • This position is in the Excepted Service.
  • Current Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
  • Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
  • Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
  • This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.
  • The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA Boston campuses and CBOCs.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
  • 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. Healthcare Engineer candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
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).

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. (See the EDUCATION section below for additional information.)

Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at the GS-6, 7 and 8 level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.

Grade Determinations:
Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) GS-4:
Experience or Education:
At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-3) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six 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.
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.
AND
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.
Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) GS-5:
Experience or Education:
At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-04) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. The medical instrument technician trainee is performing limited routine assignments of a developmental nature under close supervision. OR
Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions.
AND
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.
Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) GS-6:
Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-5) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. Duties may include but not limited to: Operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures under normal supervision, functions somewhat independently in carrying out these standardized procedures of limited complexity.
AND
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology (specifically cardiac and pulmonary).
  • Knowledge and application of safety and infection control processes.
  • Ability to serve as a circulating technician for supplies and to assist with documentation of hemodynamic patient data.
  • Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to less complex anesthetic procedures, such as those found in Ambulatory Surgery.
Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) GS-7:
Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-6) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. Duties may include but not limited to: Aids anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in less-complex anesthetic procedures such as regional anesthesia (epidural and spinal), laryngeal mask anesthesia, and monitored anesthesia care under close supervision. Technicians will exercise minimal independent judgment in anesthesia technology duties.
AND
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of the fundamentals of standard equipment operation, calibration and function.
  • Knowledge of correct use of non-invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology.
  • Ability to appropriately interact with patients during anesthetic procedures.
  • Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to routine anesthetic procedures, such as those found in typical inpatient settings.
Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) GS-8:
Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. Duties may include but not limited to: Assists anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in routine anesthetic procedures under general supervision; connect and operate non- invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment, blood and fluid warmers (e.g., Hot Line and Ranger) and patient warming devices (e.g., Bair Hugger); The technician will exercise moderate independent judgment in anesthesia technology duties.
AND
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of the correct use of invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology.
  • Knowledge of basic electrocardiography (EKG).
  • Skill and ability to troubleshoot equipment, often while the patient is anesthetized.
  • Skill and ability to maintain sterility during procedures.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Preferred Experience:
Knowledge of anesthesia supplies and equipment.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-08.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Physical Requirements: Work requires an individual with average dexterity of all extremities. Individual will be standing for a majority of the working hours, but will also include some walking, bending, lifting, and carrying of items. Work also requires transferring and moving patients on stretchers and moving heavy endoscopy equipment carts. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment or patients.

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:

Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.

Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.

Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

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.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.

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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.

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.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").

As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.gov.

Agency contact information

Julia Murdoch
Phone
508-513-7803
Email
julia.murdoch@va.gov
Address
VA Boston Healthcare System
940 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA 02301
US

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