Duties

Summary

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Responsibilities

The Medical Instrument Technicians for Hemodialysis operate and monitor kidney dialysis instruments to provide dialysis treatment to patients with kidney failure or to maintain patients with chronic irreversible kidney disorders. Individuals that hold this position are responsible for the operation of hemodialysis equipment in the treatment of patients with renal failure; monitoring; cleaning, sterilizing and maintenance of dialysis equipment as required; 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, and requires the necessary skill and knowledge. The Medical Instrument Technician has an exceptional degree of knowledge and skills necessary for operating and monitoring dialysis delivery systems for chronic and acute patients: checking patient condition and determining the proper treatment procedures and techniques; machine and water maintenance and understanding medical treatment for patients with renal failure. Incumbent must be able to meet the physical demands of the position: walking, standing, bending and reaching; must be able to lift and or move 50 pounds. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens.

Work Schedule: 8 or 12 hours shift; rotating days.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:/Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) - FS 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
8

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination
• The VA Health Care System is a 24/7 functioning hospital.
• Current/ Valid American Heart Association BLS and ACLS Cards are required
• All employees of the VA Health Care facility are deemed to be providing critical services. Incumbents of these positions are required to be at work regardless of emergency situations or any general dismissal authorization.
• All VA properties are now a smoke and vape free environment.

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:

• Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States.
• 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.
• 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. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Education/Training. To be creditable education must have been gained in an accredited Community College, College, or University
• 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.

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.

Grade Determinations: GS-7 Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis):

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. This would be experience which provided knowledge the equipment, standard procedures, and typical machine problems and/or patient reactions to treatment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Ability to assist the physician in more complex procedures such as central venous catheter insertion.
2. Ability to assist in training patients in home/self-care by teaching components of machine operation including water treatment and monitoring patients for compliance.
3. Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians.
4. Ability to analyze deviations from the expected, determine whether the deviations are machine or patient related, and respond according to the findings.
(c) 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.
(d) Assignment. At this level in addition to providing hemodialysis for chronic patients, hemodialysis technicians assist the physician during central venous catheter insertion, assist in the training of patients for home dialysis/self-care, and act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded hemodialysis technicians. At this level, the technician accepts responsibility and accountability for his/her own actions.

GS-08 Full Performance Level Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis)::

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. 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:

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of the hemodialysis process and equipment needed for home/self care including knowledge of common machine problems and repairs to such equipment.
2. Knowledge of the equipment and procedures for peritoneal dialysis.
3. Ability to assist the physician with percutaneous renal biopsies and peritoneal catheter insertion.
4. Ability to provide instruction to dialysis patients in home/self care and in the maintenance of the equipment.
5. Ability to provide instruction for physicians, nurses, and other personnel in dialysis procedures, equipment operation and maintenance, etc.

(c) 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.

(d) Assignment. 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.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 MARCH 17, 2006 PART II APPENDIX G27 II-G27-42

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

Preferred Experience:

• Prior experience working in an dialysis/medical technical setting a plus.
• Manual dexterity required - ability to use common hand tools and small power equipment.
• Current CPR certification

Physical Requirements:
This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

To include:

• Must be able to lift over 10 lbs. - assistance for patients to and from wheelchair.
• Use of keyboard and mouse >50%of the time - documentation of procedures.
• Standing for more than 1 hour - during testing.
• Sit for more than 1 hour - during review of holter monitor tracings

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.

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

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.

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.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

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, résumé, 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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness , Credentialing

Required Documents

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

• Resume

Current Federal Employees upload most recent SF-50 Personnel Action (not an award SF-50),

VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf .
VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations is required in order to be considered for this position. Please complete form in its entirety. If you answer "YES" to questions item #15B and/or item #28 through #37, please attach a separate sheet of paper with a brief explanation for each question to which you answered "Yes". Information on the application must be current not older than one year . Outdated and/or incomplete applications will be ineligible for consideration. In order for the application to be deemed complete, pg. 3 and pg. 4 must be signed and dated.

Resume ***Required at time of application***

• Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
• For qualifications determinations your resume must contain your name, hours worked per week and the dates of employment with a detailed description of the duties performed (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as incomplete and you will not receive consideration for this position.
• If you are claiming licensure, you must include the License Type, Expiration date, Licensure Number.
• If you are using education and or certifications, this information must be clearly stated in the body of your resume. You must include Name, School and type of Degree and Year of Graduation, certifications must include certifying body, certification number and expiration of certification. Credentials beside your name will not be used to meet best qualified qualifications.
• If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
• For additional information see: What to include in your resume .

RESUME AND APPLICATION MUST BE CLEAR AND PRECISE WITH INFORMATION; HR WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to 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.

• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.