Clarification from the agency

Open to US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties of the Medical Instrument Technicians (Anesthesiology) are to include, but not limited to:

Performing support to anesthesiologists, surgeons, and nurse anesthetists and subordinate technicians; maintaining anesthesiology supplies and equipment; setting-up anesthetizing locations; operating, monitoring, calibrating anesthesia related equipment; using non-invasive patient monitoring anesthesiology equipment. In some cases, Anesthesia Technicians perform equipment preventive maintenance/repair. The technician assists anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in routine and difficult anesthetic procedures under minimal supervision. The technicians connects and operates invasive hemodynamic monitoring equipment, blood and fluid warmers, anesthesia machines, ventilators, intubation bronchoscopes, ultrasonic scanning devices and patient warming devices. The technician exercises a high degree of independent judgment in anesthesia technology duties.

Independently performs the full range of anesthesiology procedures and related duties. Receives request and/or, consults for procedures. Interprets request from physician for appropriateness of requested procedure for patient's ability perform prescribed test. Receives assignment for which clear precedents exist. Receives assignments that require application of standard procedures or that have special procedures identified and explained. Employee understands and carries out the appropriate requests made by practitioners or seeks assistance of the supervisor when an uncommon, unique or new procedure is requested. Performs clinical laboratory tests for the unit (ACT & Glucose).Performs Medical Instrument Technician (Anesthesiology) work independently as part of a surgical team. This requires experience in operating, supervising the operation of and the instructing in the operation of specialized equipment related to the specialization of the position.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 10am-6pm
Compressed/Flexible:Available
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 #: 92015-A, 92016-A, 92017-A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 may 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.

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.
• Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation.
• Licensure or Certification. Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 and above; desired certification:
  • Anesthesia Technologist certification (Cer.A.T.T.) or
  • Anesthesia Technician certification (Cer.A.T.) through the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT)
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)

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:

Grade Determinations:
GS-6
Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS 5-entry 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, in their resume, the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
1. Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology (specifically cardiac and pulmonary) and Medical terminology.
2. Knowledge and application of safety and infection control processes.
3. Ability to serve as a circulating technician for supplies and to assist with documentation of hemodynamic patient data.
4. Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to less complex anesthetic procedures, such as those found in Ambulatory Surgery.
Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.

GS 7
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, in their resume, the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
1. Knowledge of the fundamentals of standard equipment operation, calibration and function.
2. Knowledge of correct use of non-invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology.
3. Ability to appropriately interact with patients during anesthetic procedures.
4. Knowledge of anesthesiology supplies and equipment appropriate to routine anesthetic procedures, such as those found in typical inpatient settings.
Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.

GS 8
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, in their resume, the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
1. Knowledge of the correct use of invasive patient monitoring equipment specific to anesthesiology.
2. Knowledge of basic electrocardiography (EKG).
3. Skill and ability to troubleshoot equipment, often while the patient is anesthetized.
4. Skill and ability to maintain sterility during procedures.
5. 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.
6. 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.
Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.

Preferred Experience: Minimum of two years of recent experience assisting with anesthesia service in a surgical or procedural setting. Prior experience in a VA medical center or larger hospital system highly desirable

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Promotion Potential: 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-6 to GS-8. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); Light carrying (under 15 pounds); Pulling hand over hand (5 hours); Pushing (5 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4-8 hours); Standing (4-8 hours); Crawling (0.5 hours); Kneeling (0.5 hours); Repeated bending; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps