Lead Medical Instrument Tech (Anesthesia)

Summary This position is located in the Anesthesiology Service at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin. At this level, the lead anesthesia technician assists the anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetists in difficult anesthetic procedures under minimal supervision. The technician will connect and operate invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment (e.g., arterial pressure monitors), anesthesia machines, intubation bronchoscopes and ultrasonic scanning devices. Duties This position is located in the Anesthesiology Service at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin. At this level, the lead anesthesia technician assists the anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetists in difficult anesthetic procedures under minimal supervision. The technician will connect and operate invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment (e.g., arterial pressure monitors), anesthesia machines, intubation bronchoscopes and ultrasonic scanning devices. The incumbent may also assist the out of the Operating Room (OR) anesthesia providers outside of the operating room suites. They also will be responsible to mentor and train lower graded technicians on anesthesia procedures and assist the supervisor/manager with quality control and performance improvement activities. They must also operate and maintain the following machines in the critical care laboratory within the Anesthesia Service: ABL 800 and Hemochron Elite. Major duties include but are not limited to: Independently sets-up and balances the pressure transducers for all hemodynamic monitoring activities performed in the operating suite. The lead anesthesia technician may perform clinical laboratory tests for the unit (i.e., blood gas, activated clotting time and glucose) or perform more difficult equipment repairs. The technician may also participate in large-vessel cannulations (with subsequent monitoring) characteristic of open-heart, transplant and major vascular surgeries. Independently evaluates the suitability of all retrieved specimens for analysis, requests a new specimen if the provided is unusable, processes specimens using equipment or techniques necessary to prepare them for a specific analysis and respond in a timely manner to ensure the state of the specimen is maintained. Prepares quality control specimens, conducts quality control procedures on equipment and reagents and maintain proper records for quality control reports. Provides the technical supervision for the Anesthesia Service for all inspections including CAP and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO). Maintains all oxygen analyzer components on the portable anesthesia machines. Assist nurse anesthetists, house officers and anesthesiologists with the correct use and maintenance of physiologic monitoring equipment such as: the intra-arterial blood pressure monitoring transducers, blood analyzer machinery, Swan-Ganz monitoring equipment and all new innovative medical monitoring systems. Must set-up all transducer monitoring equipment and calibrate the equipment using sterile technique for every procedure requiring such technology. Maintain and check the emergency/code box as outlined in the code box checklist. Ensure medications within the box are current for the expiration dates. Actively participate with Logistics to maintain a 30-day inventory level in the anesthesia. workroom as well as acting as a liaison for outside suppliers and vendors. Ensure block carts and ultrasound machines are stocked and expiration dates of medications within the block cart are current. Have current equipment manuals readily available in the anesthesia workroom for reference. Ensure the Malignant Hyperthermia box is stocked with the appropriate items as listed on the Malignant Hyperthermia checklist and that nothing within the box is expired. Updating and maintaining material data safety sheets for chemicals used within the anesthesia service and have them readily available in the anesthesia workroom. Work Schedule: Full Time 6:00 am - 4:30 pm Tuesday - Friday, compressed tour of duty. 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 Requirements 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 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: Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States. 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 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). In addition to the basic requirements above, the below criteria must be met when determining the grade qualifications. GS-9 LEVEL Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-8), which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities at that level. This would include specialized experience as an anesthesia technician which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to provide all aspects of anesthesia technician services including specialized duties. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 counter pulsation 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. 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. Preferred Experience: American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT), Anesthesia Technologist (A.T.), Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification are highly desired. 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires standing or walking for a major portion of the work day. The walking will often require carrying supplies or pushing carts and equipment. Standing will require holding patients or stocking supplies. This may occupy half of the work day and will hence be considered demanding physical activity. A certain mechanical dexterity is required in the replacement of parts and the repair of equipment to restore or maintain operability after faults are identified. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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/. 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. Additional information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.