Summary This position is located at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, Fredericksburg Health Care Center, Fredericksburg, VA, Gastroenterology Section. The Fredericksburg Healthcare Center (FxHCC) is scheduled to open in March of 2025. Those hired for these positions will be required to work at the VA Medical Center or one of the other CBOCs (management determination based on need) until the Fredericksburg Healthcare Center (HCC) opens. Responsibilities Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf The GI/Endoscopy technician is responsible for the overall technical management of the Endoscopy suites. Technical skills vary from simple cleaning of instruments to a high level of competency in the function and operation of sophisticated computerized video endoscopic instruments and fluoroscopes. Patient teaching occurs in both pre and post procedural settings. The technician must be able to adapt quickly to unusual and often emergent situations or special request of the physicians for the safe completion of the procedures. Duties Include, but are not limited to: Performs and /or assists in diagnostic examination. Serves as an integral part of the endoscopy team of physicians, nurse, and technicians in the performance of all endoscopic procedures (with and without endoscopic therapeutics), including esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, (with and without therapeutics), esophageal dilation, laparoscopy, esophageal dilation by over the guidewire or balloon dilators, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, palliative tumor ablation by radio frequency and/or cryotherapy treatment. Educates patients in the procedure to be performed and takes part in the post-procedure care of the patient. Scheduling and coordination of special procedures, preparation and logistics of patients and operation and maintenance of bio-medical equipment including video endoscopes and fluoroscopy diagnostic equipment. Assists in obtaining biopsies, brushing, polypectomy, inflation of balloon dilators, and injection of dye during ERCP. Prepares diagnostic biopsy specimens, assessing the adequacy of each, properly orienting the biopsy, and placing in proper specimen bottle with appropriate labeling. Maintains adequate inventory of supplies in endoscopy, fluoroscopy, and palliative treatment suites. Places orders and follows through on obtaining any deficient supplies/equipment. Works with the state-of-the-art technology such as the Olympus Imaging System, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatic Grams, and Fluoroscopy x-ray. Has a level of understanding certain nursing functions and can perform in a mutually supportive environment Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Work Schedule is to be determined based on service and coverage needs and after discussion with the employee. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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 #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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 Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. 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: The full performance level for this qualification standard is the GS-07 grade level. GS-06 Gastroenterology (GI) Technician - Education/Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-06 you must meet one of the following experience or education requirements: 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. 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 degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician functions. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: Ability to set up endoscopy equipment, ensuring endoscopes and ancillary equipment functions properly. Ability to aid the physician with standard and routine procedures such as colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to assist practitioner with routine standardized gastroenterology procedures. 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. Ability to reprocess and maintain specialty critical reusable medical equipment (RME), following approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and universal precautions. Ability to use basic computer systems and programs to record patient and endoscopic data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policies. 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. Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BLS certification. Assignment. Technicians at this level aid the staff with procedures which are routine and standardized in nature. They explain the procedure to the patient to secure the patient's confidence and cooperation; position patients for procedures; and restock linen and consumable supplies. They set-up, clean, and ensure proper performance of the endoscopic equipment; and prepare the procedure rooms for turn-over, adhering to universal precautions and SOPs. The technician logs procedure and reprocessing data, adhering to patient privacy and information security policy. Assignments at this level require knowledge of basic medical terminology as well as common gastrointestinal anatomy. GS-07 Gastroenterology (GI) Technician (Full Performance Level) - Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6), which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge of proper performance of endoscopic equipment and procedures. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BLS certification. Assignment: This represents the full performance level. Technicians at this level function with minimal instruction, assisting the staff with complex specialized procedures such as ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). They are proficient with GI endoscopic equipment and ensure proper performance of endoscopic equipment; select alternate equipment or adjust equipment settings to accommodate patient needs and produce high quality technique. They collect, process, and label all specimens; train other technicians in basic endoscopic procedures; work in and outside the GI unit offering technician support during emergent and on-call endoscopic cases; and assist the nurse in patient care duties such as obtaining vital signs, dressing and documenting all pertinent information in the patient's records. They inventory and maintain par levels of specialty equipment for the endoscopy unit Preferred Experience: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification Completions of gastroenterology or endoscopy tech training program, Operating room tech program. Associate degree, and/or certified flexible endoscope re-processor with 5 year registration. 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-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06 to GS-07. Physical Requirements: The work involves long periods of moving, standing and pushing carts about the work unit. The work requires regular and recurring bending, stretching, and lifting. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over), moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs.), and light lifting (under 15 lbs.), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, use of both hands, sitting, walking, and standing. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception. Ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (hearing aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability. Environmental factors include, constant noise, dust, working closely with others, or working alone, and protracted or irregular hours of work. 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.