Clarification from the agency

Open to all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties include, but not limited to:

• Integrates, maintains and operates associated audio/video (A/V) technology and simulation devices to include high, medium and low fidelity manikins and task trainers.
• Manages simulation lab operations, mannequin and device set-up and take down, application of moulage, immersive simulation experiences, and leading and/or coaching others in the debriefing process.
• Facilitates daily administrative and operational activities i.e. resuscitation education configuration, event/training schedules, calendar posts, resource monitors, documentation management, policies, procedures, reference tools, reports and assist learners with inquiries and registration procedures.
• Provides technical assistance, support and training for faculty, instructors and staff in use of simulation equipment as necessary.
• Maintains supply inventory, equipment and conducts routine inventory updates within the simulation center and its associated community resource centers.
• Provides input for budget, equipment purchases, supplies and materials.
• Conducts ongoing maintenance of all simulation equipment, including cleaning, repairing, assuring that equipment is maintained in good working order at all times.
• Leads, communicates and evaluates training programs to induce learning outcomes and promote process improvement initiatives.
• Assists in the development of innovative approaches and utilizes diverse platforms to train, educate and evaluate learning for diverse clinical disciplines to include trainees, community and military partners.
• Serves as a resource role model and resource for staff in the development, implementation and evaluation of interactive education programs and activities.
• Obtains, utilizes and maintains knowledge of multiple computer applications, virtual learning platforms and/or simulators for operation, training, electronic filing and data banks to support, organize and market Anesthesia Service Simulation Initiatives.
• Updates, creates and organizes through the use of software tools i.e. Talent Management System, SharePoint Administrator, Intranet Web Authoring and Access etc.
• Works dynamically and responsively with unique customers and groups to determine needs, addressing inquiries and/or complaints professionally providing clarity, concisely addressing inquiries and providing essential information efficiently and effectively.
• Collaborates effectively and efficiently with diverse stakeholders within and outside of the medical center.
• Performs complex work involving the collection, compilation and tracking of data and statistical information, in support of Anesthesiology Service Simulation operations to improve patient and programmatic flow.
• Initiates, maintains and updates office filing system( s) and collects program information from technical specialists, data entry, tools and applications.
• Provides input, edits and updates documents ensuring appropriate format, procedure, regulatory compliance, accuracy, and timely submission of policies, procedures and standards reflect VHAN ANISN, Regulatory Guidelines (Joint Commission (JC), Occupational Safety Health Association (OSHA) and American Heart Association (AHA) Program Administration Manual (PAM) and the Resuscitation Education Initiative (REdl) Handbook.
• Additional duties or tasks may be assigned by the supervisor to ensure efficient daily operations of Anesthesia Service

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
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)
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: Ad-Hoc, determined by the service line.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 60431F, 60432F & 60428F
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.
• 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).
• 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

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: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Grade Determinations:
GS-04 Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee)
(a) 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 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs
OR
Education: 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.
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology.
2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used.
3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress.
4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted.
5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing.

GS-05 Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee)
(a) 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 position 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
OR
Education: 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.
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions.
2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment.
3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities.
4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures.
5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine.

GS-06 Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia)
(a) 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology (specifically cardiac and pulmonary).
2. Knowledge and application of safety and infection control processes.
3. Ability to serve as a circulating technician for supplies and to assist with documentation of hemodynamic patient data.
4. Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to less complex anesthetic procedures, such as those found in Ambulatory Surgery.

GS-07 Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia)
(a) 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of the fundamentals of standard equipment operation, calibration and function.
2. Knowledge of correct use of non-invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology.
3. Ability to appropriately interact with patients during anesthetic procedures.
4. Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to routine anesthetic procedures, such as those found in typical inpatient settings.

GS-08 Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia)
(a) 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

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.

(c) Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at grade levels 06-08 have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.

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-06 to GS-08.

Preferred Experience: None

Physical Requirements:
1. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8-12 hours per shift); frequent movement between simulation rooms, labs, and storage areas and ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach overhead or below waist level.
2. Ability to lift, push, and carry up to 50 pounds independently (e.g., surgical trays, simulation equipment); fine motor skills to handle delicate instruments and simulation components with precision and ability to assemble, disassemble, and clean complex medical and simulation equipment.
3. Sufficient visual acuity to inspect instruments for cleanliness, damage, and proper function; ability to read small print on labels, instructions, and digital displays; and adequate hearing to respond to alarms, verbal instructions, and communication in noisy environments like the procedure areas, acute care environments where training in-situ occurs.
4. Comfortable working in sterile, high-stress environments; tolerance for exposure to cleaning chemicals, latex, silicone and/or plastic task trainers and simulation materials; and ability to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks, gloves, gowns, and eye protection for extended periods.
5. Ability to follow complex verbal and written instructions; clear verbal communication to interact with surgical teams, educators, and learners; and capacity to remain focused and alert during long procedures or simulation sessions.

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.