BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
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.
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. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations".
For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable.
Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
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.
GRADE REQUIREMENTS
Definitions: For purposes of this qualification standard the specialty areas of this occupation have been grouped into [seven] functional areas. These are:
Cardiovascular (Electrocardiograph Technician, Cardiac Catheterization
Technician) Medical (Hemodialysis Technician)
Surgical (Perfusion Technician, Anesthesia Technician)
Neurology (Electroencephalograph Technician, Polysomnography Technician)
Pulmonary (Pulmonary Function Technician), and
Imaging (Diagnostic Ultrasound Technician, Echocardiograph Technician, and Vascular Technician)
[Gastroenterology (GI Technician)]
Medical Instrument Technicians at GS-6 and above will have a functional assignment and reference should be made to the appropriate appendix for qualifications evaluation. Grade level criteria, KSAs (core competencies), and typical assignment information for all GS[1]4 and GS-5 levels are defined generically in this part of the qualification standard. For higher level positions where the grade level/assignment is based on supervisory and/or managerial responsibilities, criteria are also included in the general portion of this qualification standard (for individuals in multiple function assignments) and/or the specific appendices.
For non-supervisory positions at GS-6 and above and for supervisory positions in a single specialty, the grade level criteria, KSAs, and types of assignments are discussed in appendices matching the title areas listed below. Reference should be made to the appropriate appendix in evaluating the qualifications of individuals for this occupation.
Titles and Certifications/Registrations: All individuals assigned to this occupation MUST have an approved parenthetical title. For individuals at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels, the approved title will be Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee). For supervisory positions over two or more approved specialties, the approved title will be Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Multiple Function). Supervisors over a single specialty will have that specialty as the parenthetical title; for example, Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization). Non-supervisory individuals whose assignments involve two or more specialty areas will be assigned the parenthetical title for the predominant specialty considering both the intended function and qualifications background of the individual.
Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician
Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area. [Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.]
Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled.
Part-time Experience. Part-time experience is credited according to its relationship to a full-time work week. For example, an individual employed 20 hours per week, or on a ½ time basis would receive one work week credit for each two weeks of service.
Fellowships. N/A
Internships. N/A
Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Education/Training. To be creditable, education must have been gained in an accredited Community College, College, or University.
[Training.] Completion of appropriate training such as in-service training programs, on the job training, training acquired while in the Armed Forces, government sponsored developmental training programs, and/or training under physicians certified in the functional area will be allowed on a month-for- month basis through the GS-5 level.
Basic Developmental Level
GS-5
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 position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Ability to push/pull heavy equipment.
2. Ability to safely transport heavy medical gas cylinders.
3. Ability to maintain equipment/supplies at designated par levels.
4. Ability to disassemble. clean, and re-assemble after use by a patient. Ability to check functionality of equipment prior to next use.
Assignment. Medical Instrument Technicians (Trainee) at this level operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures under normal supervision. The technician functions somewhat independently in carrying out these standardized procedures of limited complexity. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help. Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures designed to prepare the technician for promotion to higher grades in a functional area.
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-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-05.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.