Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis)

Summary

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a full-time Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis). This position serves within the Surgical-Perioperative section of Patient Care Nursing Service. The hemodialysis technician functions as a member of the dialysis team under the direction of the nurse manager and staff nurse.

Duties

The Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) duties include but are not limited to: Provides hemodialysis treatment to patients with renal failure. Initiates and terminates dialysis treatments following standard procedures. Monitors patients throughout treatment and in collaboration with the clinician makes necessary adjustments per the patient's medical condition, previous experience, and accepted practices. Assembles all necessary supplies and equipment at chair side. Operates and monitors dialysis machinery in performance of dialysis procedures using prescribed standard procedures and the machine monitoring system. Documents and charts accurately on flow sheets and medical records. Assesses and records the results of the dialysis treatment, plans for future care, and reports program to the dialysis team. Recognizes medical complications or altered response to treatment and notifies RN or MD. Responds to equipment alarms, adjusts alarm limits, and corrects the cause of malfunction which triggered the alarm. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, alternating shifts: 5:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; alternating Saturdays and holidays Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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 #: 95241A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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. 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: 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. 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: 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. Preferred Experience: Two years of chronic hemodialysis experience, dialysis certification through the Ohio Board of Nursing or another state, and current BCLS and ACLS certifications. 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-8. Physical Requirements: This clinical position includes a level of physicality normally associated with inpatient care, including bending, grasping, kneeling, performing moderate lifting, carrying tasks of up to 35 pounds per the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility guidelines and using an appropriate mechanical lift. Candidate must possess the ability to pivot their waist and neck, push and pull items not greater than 35 pounds and reach within a five-foot distance or above shoulder height. The position requires sitting, squatting, standing, walking and twisting, alongside wrist flexion and extension. Employees are expected to employ proper body mechanics during lifting. Requires adequate vision to accurately perform the assigned duties, distinguish basic colors and assess patients and the environment safely. The position requires the ability to hear at a level to perform the assigned duties, and the use of hearing aids permitted.

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/.