This position is located in the GI Endoscopy Unit, St. Louis VAMC John Cochran, Gastroenterlogy Section, Medical Service. The GI endoscopy suite is responsible for providing high quality comprehensive care to all veterans (inpatients & outpatients) that require elective & emergent invasive GI procedures. The incumbent performs and/or assists in diagnostic examinations.
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. No specific education or license required. English Proficient Pass pre-employment physical. 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-7 Grade Requirement (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of endoscopic equipment and use in basic and complex endoscopic procedures Knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to the GI system, with ability to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures. Ability to assist physician with specialized, complex procedures. Knowledge of universal precautions and disinfection techniques and ability to follow SOP's to clean reusable medical equipment (RME) Ability to collaborate, communicate, and demonstrate customer service skills and interpersonal skills with all healthcare professionals to ensure quality and continuity of care Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies. Ability to deliver patient care, including vital sign measurements and medication administration. Ability to trouble shoot medical equipment within scope of practice. Preferred Experience: Patient flow and medical 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-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: High levels of physical energy and stamina are needed to cope with the demands of this rigorous job. Good strength and well development musculoskeletal function are necessary for occasional lifting, positioning, or transferring of sedated patients. Highly refined dexterity is necessary to handle demands of sophisticated procedural equipment. Excellent visual skills are necessary for evaluation of clinical status of patient and adequacy of small biopsy specimens.
Duties include but are not limited to: assisting the practitioner in endoscopic procedures, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound. The MIT ensures proper performance of equipment, sets up equipment, and reprocesses endoscopic reusable medical equipment (RME). The GI technician educates the patients in the procedure to be performed and takes part in the post-procedure care of the patient when needed. The technician collects, processes and labels all specimens, trains other technicians in basic endoscopic procedures, works in and outside the GI unit offering technician support during emergent and on-call endoscopic cases. The incumbent sets up the instruments, tests the equipment for proper operation, ensures the immediate availability of emergency cardio-pulmonary resuscitative equipment, biopsy forceps, specimen bottles, polypectomy snares, retrievers, dilators, electro cautery units etc. The technician assesses and monitors the patient prior to, during and immediately after the procedure, uses special monitoring equipment for assessing possible arrhythmias, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and is capable of suctioning patient as needed. The MIT will also maintain adequate inventory of supplies in endoscopy rooms. This position also works directly with re-usable medical equipment and therefore the tech is responsible for the day to day reprocessing of a variety of scopes in the GI lab. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 07:30 -16:00 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorize Bargaining Unit: Not covered Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorize