Advanced Gastroenterology Medical Instrument Technician

Quick Facts

• Role: Advanced Medical Instrument Technician (Advanced Gastroenterology)

Description

You will assist the Gastroenterology Procedure Team during diagnostic examinations and treatment procedures under general supervision of the physician and nursing leadership. The role includes supporting complex GI procedures, preparing and maintaining instruments and equipment, and ensuring correct specimen processing and labeling. You will also support patient preparation and care tasks, follow infection control and SOPs, take after-hours call, and train other staff.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary person for knowledge and handling of GI instruments, supplies, and equipment during procedures (e.g., argon plasma cautery, colonoscopy, EGD, PEG, dilation, polypectomies, sigmoidoscopy, BARRX/RFA, EMR).

• Prepare procedural rooms: set up and test video imaging systems, computers and monitors, cautery units, pill cameras, data collectors, and appropriate endoscopes/accessories.

• Turn over rooms between procedures and maintain competency in pre-cleaning and reprocessing reusable medical equipment (RME).

• Ensure SOPs and manufacturer instructions are followed for equipment handling.

• Plan procedures with GPT professionals to ensure all supplies and equipment are available prior to GI procedures.

• Maintain infection control using universal precautions when handling specimens, supplies, and equipment.

• Assist with patient care tasks such as positioning and obtaining supplies; apply monitoring equipment (BP, O2 saturation, ECG, etc.) when assisting with patient preparation.

• Maintain accountability of all GI instruments and equipment during procedures.

• Prepare, assess, orient, label, and package biopsy specimens to meet pathology laboratory requirements; perform final post-procedure biopsy check with the endoscopist.

• Restock and rotate supplies and ensure availability of specialized, patient-specific GI accessories (coordinate sizing with the gastroenterologist via logistics).

• Follow safety and fire prevention rules; know fire drill and emergency plans; report accidents and unsafe conditions and complete required training.

• Take call for after-hours procedures and train technicians/other staff.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.

• Written and spoken English proficiency.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selective Service registration required for eligible males.

• Complete VA onboarding and pre-employment requirements, including drug screening if selected for testing-designated positions.

• Seasonal influenza vaccination program participation is required.

• Complete a 1–2-year trial period and receive required written certification that continued employment advances the public interest.

• Meet GI technician grade-level qualifications (GS-7 full performance; GS-8 advanced): knowledge of complex endoscopic procedures/equipment, GI anatomy/physiology awareness, universal precautions and RME disinfection per SOPs, specimen handling and labeling, and ability to use basic computer systems to record patient/endoscopic data.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases.

• Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (13–26 annual leave, 13 sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays).

• Parental leave: up to 12 weeks paid after 12 months of employment.

• Child care subsidy: up to 25% of eligible childcare costs for eligible employees (after 60 days; income below $144,000), up to the stated monthly maximum.

• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA.

• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care options (many can be carried into retirement).

• Comprehensive federal benefits package (eligibility depends on position type).