Summary

The Anesthesia Technician assists the anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist in routine anesthetic procedures. This position is located in Surgery/Specialty Service Line and reports to the Chief Nurse Anesthetist.

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
• Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation
• Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels
• See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions
• 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 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
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• 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
• 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)
• Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) Anesthesia Technicians 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 Anesthesia Technicians will perform clinical laboratory functions - equipment preventive maintenance/repair - and specialized cardiac procedures such as cardiac output measurement - intra-aortic balloon pumping - vessel cannulation - and autotransfusion services
• Certification at two distinct levels is offered by the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the criteria discussed in the applicable headings - or that defined in the appendices - must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Basic Developmental Levels: GS-4 Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) 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
• -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
• 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
• GS-5 Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) 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
• -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
• 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
• GS-6 Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) 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: 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
• GS-7 Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) 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: 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
• GS-8 Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesia) 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: 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
• 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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-8.

Duties

• All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package
• We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications
• Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification
• All applicants are encouraged to submit responses to each Knowledge - Skill - and Ability (KSA) on a separate document
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include - but are not limited to the following: Adheres to VA and Nursing policies - procedures - and standards
• Participates in selected Continuous Improvement (Cl) activities as directed
• Knowledge of Basic electrocardiography (EKG) and basic Hemodynamic monitoring
• Technical expert in calibration - maintenance - operation and troubleshooting of a wide spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic medical instruments/equipment
• Has advanced knowledge of equipment - supplies and common medications used in Anesthesia
• anticipates needs for equipment and supplies
• restocks anesthesia cart daily and between cases
• orders supplies as needed
• Disinfects/cleans specialized equipment as per the approved Standard Operating Procedure for each piece of equipment
• disinfects equipment per the appropriate SOP for the type of equipment
• Assists anesthesia personnel in procedures
• Ability to recognize or be trained in abnormalities in patient responses to treatment - lab results or equipment function
• Assists anesthesia staff with room turnover
• Orders - maintains - and arranges allocation and distribution of anesthesia equipment/supplies - to ensure timely availability for providers in or out of the Operating Room Suite
• Knowledge of pharmacology - including the classification and administration of anesthetic agents
• Works safely with any hazardous materials using all safety equipment and procedures
• Responsible for restocking of the anesthesia workroom and the OR's
• Competent to perform the following procedures/functions: draws blood samples from arterial - pulmonary artery and central venous lines
• draws blood specimens for type and screen or type and cross and signs specimen label - hooks up - performs routine maintenance of - and trouble-shoots invasive monitoring systems such as arterial lines - left atrial lines - intraventricular and intra-cranial pressure monitoring systems - calibrates and trouble shoots continuous cardiac output swan-ganz catheters and competent in recognizing cardiac arrhythmias
• Utilizes standard precautions for all patients which includes following hand hygiene practices
• Follows appropriate procedures in environmental emergencies
• Follows correct moving and transferring techniques - including use of devices for safe patient handling and patient lifting devices
• Responsible for the training - mentoring and orientation of new staff members
• Has a working knowledge of standard medical terminology
• A high degree of independent judgement is exercised
• Capacity to be trained to manage daily workflow - assign work assignments - and manage work schedules
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• Rotating Shift - 6am-2:30pm - 6:30am-3pm - 7:30am-4pm - 9:30am-6pm - 10:30am-7pm 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