Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. First priority will be given to current facility employees, second priority will be given to current agency employees, third priority will be given to current federal employees and fourth priority will be given to the public.

Videos

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The incumbent will 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, MIT Anesthesia will perform clinical laboratory functions, equipment preventive maintenance/repair, and specialized cardiac procedures such as obtaining invasive and non-invasive hemodynamic data and calculating measurements and supporting intra aortic balloon pumping, vessel cannulation, and autotransfusion services.

The major duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Aid anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in anesthetic procedures such as regional; the technician will 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) anesthesia (epidural and spinal), laryngeal mask anesthesia, and monitored anesthesia care. Assists anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in difficult anesthetic procedures under minimal supervision.
• Mentors and trains lower graded technicians. Assists staff Anesthesiologists to train nurses, medical students, and anesthesia residents on VA anesthesia technology procedures and assist the supervisor/manager with quality control and performance improvement activities.
• Sets up the anesthesia machines in each operating room prior to the start of the scheduled OR day, including correct breathing circuit apparatus, life support monitors, suction, airway gas monitors, airway gases and disposable or other appropriate equipment that may be required. An in- depth knowledge of the anesthesia machine, monitors, gas supply systems and breathing systems is required for first line trouble shooting.
• Maintains standardized Anesthesia Carts, Emergency Airway Carts, Transplant supplies, Urgent/Emergent Anesthesia Cart, Latex Allergy Cart, Malignant Hyperthermia Cart, Gastroenterology cart, Bronchoscopy Cart and Pain Management Carts to assure that appropriate drugs and supplies are available to the anesthesia providers.
• Assists and performs calibration of oxygen analyzers using piped O2. Any failure to calibrate must be checked in the same location with the working analyzer. Any subsequent failure to calibrate must be checked against tank 02. Any anesthesia machine that is found not to be dispensing an accurate FI02 must be removed from service.
• Reviews the surgery schedule and confers with anesthesia providers to provide warming devices, IV lines, pressure lines, and specialty catheters, including CVP, arterial, and pulmonary catheters. Organizes airway management carts for bronchoscope or video scope procedures. Set up and calibrates equipment and obtains and calculate hemodynamic data when requested by cardiac anesthesiologist. Knowledge of numerous specialty catheters and their required disposable arrangement is required.
• Assist anesthesiologists in placement of pulmonary artery catheters, central venous catheters, and arterial lines. In-depth knowledge of anatomy, catheter placement, procedural complications and sterile technique is required to provide hands-on assistance.
• Assists anesthesia providers performing regional anesthesia on patients. Knowledge of regional practices and related equipment and pharmaceuticals is essential.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 11:30am to 8:00pm
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 #: 000000
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 Techniciansmust be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• 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".

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).

Grade Determinations:

GS-9 Medical Instrument Technician:
Experience: One year of experience at the GS-8 level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's). In addition to the experience, you must be able to show through your resume the following KSA's.
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.

1. 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.
2. Advanced knowledge of electronics and anesthesia equipment with skill in repairing and maintaining this equipment and repairing complex problems.
3. *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).
4. Knowledge and ability to assist with airway management techniques.
5. *Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
6. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
7. *Ability to manage and supervise employees.
8. *Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.

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

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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.