Medical Instrument Technician (GI)

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) is located in the gastrointestinal area of endoscopy section within Medical Procedures Unit Center at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. MITs at this level provide technical support to Gastroenterology and Pulmonology physicians. They function as the subject matter experts for all equipment and supplies needed to service these specialties.

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) is located in the gastrointestinal area of endoscopy section within Medical Procedures Unit Center at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. Milwaukee VA's Medical Procedure Unit was awarded the National Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program Honoree by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, this site is only one of four locations honored in the state of Wisconsin. MITs at this level provide technical support to Gastroenterology and Pulmonology physicians and they. They function as the subject matter experts for all equipment and supplies needed to service these specialties.

This position is located at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Medical Instrument Technician is responsible for the performance of the full range of Gastrointestinal (GI) duties.

MAJOR DUTIES:

• Assists practitioners in endoscopic procedures, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD),colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and endoscopic ultrasound.
• Maintains annual competency requirements through computer based educational needs, in-services, continuing education, as well as current BLS.
• Collection/ handling and labeling of specimens.
• Use of accessory devices during endoscopic procedures.
• Experience in GI procedures, Outpatient clinic setting and/or equivalent experience

• Experience and knowledge of Sterile processing and endoscope care
• Experience in the clinic setting doing intake and support of the Registered Nurse
• Ability to set up GI procedure rooms with all required items for each procedure such as video equipment, endoscopes, endoscope flushing system, image management systems, computers and monitors, cautery units, and reprocessing equipment
• Knowledge of Semi Critical and Non- Critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) in accordance with appropriate Standard Operating Procedures
• Ability to work collaboratively with the nursing staff Plans and discusses each procedure with the GI team professionals and assures that all supplies and equipment are available prior to the GI procedures
• Excellent assessment and interpersonal communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities. Ability to provide and coordinate direct health care to patients and acts as a role model in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care for persons with various medical diagnoses
• Proven ability to work effectively with all levels of healthcare providers, patients, and families.
• Demonstrates sound judgment in problem solving, decision making, change process and conflict resolution in matters related to clinical practice issues.

Work Schedule: Days, variable start times
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 #: 07557F & 07558F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations:
GS-06 Level: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-05) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. Experience includes but is not limited to: Working with procedures which are routine and standardized in nature. Explaining the procedure to the patient to secure the patient's confidence and cooperation; position patients for procedures; and restock linen and consumable supplies. Setting-up, cleaning, and ensuring proper performance of the endoscopic equipment; and preparing the procedure rooms for turn-over, adhering to universal precautions and SOPs. Logging procedure and reprocessing data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policy.

AND

The candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's:
1. Ability to set up endoscopy equipment, insuring endoscopes and ancillary equipment functions properly.
2. Ability to aid the physician with standard and routine procedures such as colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).
3. Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to assist practitioner with routine standardized gastroenterology procedures.
4. Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure, recognizing disabilities or impaired mobility and assisting the patient as necessary.
5. Ability to reprocess and maintain specialty critical reusable medical equipment (RME), following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and universal precautions.
6. Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies.
7. Ability to manually clean and disinfect non-critical reusable equipment and surfaces, dispose of one-time-use equipment and trash per facility policy, and restock supplies such as linens, suction equipment, and cleaning products.

GS-7 LEVEL ( Full Performance Level): At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-06) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. Experience includes but is not limited to: Working with proper performance of endoscopic and surgical equipment and procedures. Functioning with minimal instruction, assisting the staff with complex specialized procedures such as ERCP. Working with GI endoscopic equipment and ensure proper performance of endoscopic equipment; selecting alternate equipment or adjusting equipment settings to accommodate patient needs and produce high quality technique. Collecting, processing, and labeling all specimens; training other technicians in basic endoscopic and surgical procedures; working in and outside the GI unit offering technician support during emergent endoscopic and surgical cases; and assisting the nurse in patient care duties such as obtaining vital signs, dressing and documenting all pertinent information in the patient's records. Monitoring inventory and maintaining par levels of specialty equipment for the endoscopy unit.

AND

The candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's:
1. Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex endoscopic procedures.
2. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to the GI system, with ability to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures.
3. Ability to assist physician with specialized, complex procedures.
4. Knowledge of universal precautions and disinfection techniques and ability to follow SOP's to clean reusable medical equipment (RME).
5. Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service skills and interpersonal skills with all healthcare professionals to ensure quality and continuity of care.
6. Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies.
7. Ability to deliver patient care, including vital sign measurements and medication administration.

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-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-7 .

Physical Requirements: The MIT position does not require any special physical demands however the incumbent must be able to sit intermittently, walk short distances, stand for short periods of time, and carry light instruments and medical supplies up to 50 pounds intermittently throughout the workday.

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/.

• 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 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.