Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis)

Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) position is located at Salem VA. The Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis

• HD) position requires thorough technical knowledge, understanding, practice, maintenance, operation per AAMI standards of HD water treatment and purification process, equipment, cleaning, sterilizing, dialysis equipment in addition to teaching other dialysis staff as needed. CCHT certification also required in the care of hemodialysis.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

04/23/2024 to 05/10/2024

• Salary

$54,292 - $70,578 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 8

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Salem, VA 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Temporary

• Not to exceed 2 years

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

8

• Job family (Series)

0649 Medical Instrument Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBTA-12396077-24-TM

• Control number

788252100

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties

The Hemodialysis Technician is responsible for the operation of hemodialysis equipment in the treatment of patients with renal failure; monitoring patients during dialysis treatments; cleaning, sterilizing, and maintenance of dialysis equipment; monitoring the quality of the water used for dialysis; collecting, recording and reporting water culture results; setting up and operating hemodialysis equipment; selecting, ordering, stocking, and preparing supplies needed for dialysis procedures; and mentoring new technicians. Dialysis equipment is highly complex mechanically and electronically. The hemodialysis technician performs his/her duties as part of the dialysis team under the direction of the nurse manager and staff nurse. Maintains equipment including preventative maintenance on dialysis machines, portable R/O machines, calibration equipment, and the Unit R/O system. Sets up, operates, and performs calibrations as required on a variety of dialysis equipment. Makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to insure accurate results. Maintains a machine maintenance log, Daily R/O check sheet log, and a purchase log for parts ordered.

Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) GS-08 Duties:

• This position requires knowledge of culture and endotoxin assay processes as well as knowledge of sterile collection techniques.

• The incumbent takes a lead in the maintenance, troubleshooting and disinfection of equipment, water quality monitoring, restocking of supplies. This may include special disinfection procedures related to water treatment systems and machines.

• The MIT functions as a preceptor for staff in learning and maintaining knowledge of the operation of all dialysis machine and equipment. Provides feedback to new personnel and assures completion of the orientation documentation for all equipment related functions. Provides progress update to the management team on employee strengths and identifies areas for improvement.

• Services as technical support in the operation, calibration and troubleshooting of specialized medical equipment and instruments. Assists lead technician/biomedical support staff in maintaining equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations and regulatory standards.

• Provides instructions to physicians, nurses and other personnel on hemodialysis procedures, equipment operation and maintenance.

• The incumbent will work in collaboration with the renal medical director, the nurse manager and fellow MITs and RNs to assure that staffing is adequate and that machine and water system safety is achieved.

• Actively participates in maintaining all safety requirements associated with working in the Salem VAMC dialysis unit. Assists with tracking the safety checks on all medical equipment and notifies the appropriate service for updates or missing labels. Helps Safety maintain eye wash stations and acts if malfunction occurs.

• Maintains inventory of all dialysis water related supplies on a weekly basis assuring rotation of stock and adequate levels are maintained.

• Initiates and terminates chemical disinfection of the central RO system.

• Oversees general technical duties associated with water and machine maintenance, the central Reverse Osmosis (RO) room, the acid delivery system and supply rooms assuring that all technically related duties are performed during the required daily intervals and all required documentation related to these duties has been done at the end of his/her shift.

• Is proficient in the management of the hemodialysis patient to include initiation, maintenance, and termination of the hemodialysis treatment as overseen by the Registered Nurse.

Work Schedule: 10-hour shift, flex. This Position supports a 12 shift for which two different shifts of patients are managed. 24/7 acute operations throughout the calendar year.

Compressed/Flexible: Not Eligible

Telework: Not Eligible

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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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

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen

• Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation.

• Licensure or Certification: Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation

• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

• English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Hemodialysis Technicians operate and monitor kidney dialysis instruments to provide dialysis treatment to patients with kidney failure or to maintain patients with irreversible kidney disorders. The agencies that offer national certification are Nephrology Certification Commission (NNCC), Board of Nephrology Examiners, Inc, Nursing and Technology (BONET), National Nephrology certification Organization (NNCO), and the International Certification Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology (ICC) in conjunction with the United States Certification

Grade Determinations: GS-08 Medical Instrument Technician Hemodialysis.

Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-07) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge of the more complex procedures, the pharmacology related to this occupation, and knowledge of related acute disorders and diseases and their effects on organs and methods of treatment.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the hemodialysis process, and equipment needed for home/self-care including knowledge of common machine problems and repairs to such equipment.

• Knowledge of the equipment and procedures for peritoneal dialysis

• Ability to assist the physician with percutaneous renal biopsies and peritoneal catheter insertion.

• Ability to provide instruction to dialysis patients in home/self-care and in the maintenance of the equipment.

• Ability to provide instruction for physicians, nurses, and other personnel in dialysis procedures, equipment operation and maintenance, etc.

Please make your resume fully demonstrates the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications

Assignment: GS-08: This represents the full performance level. At this level the hemodialysis technician serves as a member of a dialysis team performing dialysis on acutely ill patients including those within an intensive care setting. Assignments involve performing both peritoneal and hemodialysis procedures. The dialysis technician may participate in percutaneous renal biopsies, watching the patient during the procedure and properly processing the specimen. Assists the physician in peritoneal catheter insertions and observes the patient for vital signs and provides post operative care. Provides instruction and monitors patients for home dialysis. Performs training of physicians, nurses, and technicians on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis techniques.

Preferred Experience:

• AAMI certification preferred.

• Certified Hemodialysis Water Specialist (CHWS) strongly desired.

• Knowledge of the hemodialysis process and equipment especially knowledge of common machine problems and repairs to such equipment.

• Knowledge of domestic water, reverse osmosis (RO) water systems and portable RO machines along with the testing and management of these machines and systems.

• Skill in setting up, operating, and performing calibrations as required on a variety of dialysis equipment.

• Skill in performing and interpreting test results (dialysate chemistries, water treatment testing for contaminates, etc.) including the ability to analyze deviations from the expected norm and responding appropriately.

• Basic life support certification required; Advance Life Support (ALS) preferred.

We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II Appendix G27

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the GS-08.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity, potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. transferring patients and objects may be required, mechanical lifts are provided. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

RESUME REMINDER: Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy.

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.

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.

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• Benefits

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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 window

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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.

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.