Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) position provides hemodialysis treatment to patients with chronic renal failure under the collaborative supervision of an RN Charge Nurse - Team Leader - or Nurse Manager and requires thorough technical knowledge - understanding - practice - maintenance - operation per AAMI standards of HD water treatment and purification process - equipment - cleaning - and sterilizing dialysis equipment.

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
• 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"
• English Language Proficiency
• Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English
• 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)
• Preferred Experience/Certification: 2 years' experience performing Medical Instrument Technician Hemodialysis duties in an acute care or outpatient setting and BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications Grade Determination: 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
• 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
• References: VHA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G27/Appendix G- Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08
• 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 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 - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings.

Duties

• The Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) is responsible for the operation of hemodialysis equipment in the treatment of patients with chronic renal failure
• Duties include monitoring patients during dialysis treatments
• cleaning - disinfecting - and maintenance of dialysis equipment
• 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
• Other responsibilities and duties include but not limited to the following: Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) GS-08 Duties: Performs and interprets test results including water treatment testing and is able to analyze deviations from the expected norm and responds appropriately
• Is knowledgeable of the American Association of Medical Instruments (AMMI) standards and unit policies as the relate to water treatment - cell counts and disinfection
• Performs routine dialysis start up and take off procedures under the supervision of the primary RN
• Checks patient's condition and knowledgeable of proper treatment procedures - technique - and machine adjustments
• understands medical treatment for patients with renal failure Is knowledgeable of the physiological and psychological changes and conditions related to ESRD
• Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section
• Calculates dialysis baths according to the physician's orders per patient by mixing concentrates - i.e. - calcium - and potassium
• Recognizes and reacts to signs and symptoms that signal the onset of complications of dialysis including hypotension - and cramping
• Maintains unit stock levels of disposable dialysis items
• Monitors and reports stocking discrepancies that would impact patient flow
• Technician is aware of and practices the safety policies/procedures of the medical center - and participates in quality assurance activities as directed
• Assists the physician in more complex procedures such as central venous catheter insertion
• Assists in training patients in home/self-care dialysis by teaching components of dialysis operation such as water treatment and monitoring patients for compliance to any recommended water system changes
• Mentor or precept less experienced technicians
• Able to analyze deviations from the expected - determine whether the deviations are machine or patient related - and respond according to the findings
• 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
• 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
• Performs dialysis Adequacy evaluations for Hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis patients
• Performs unit Quality Assurance Audits
• Maintains and updates unit database program and monitors system performance
• Works under the general direction of the Dialysis Nurse Manager
• On most assignments - technologist works independently
• On the more unusual and complex assignments - works closely and confers with Nurse manager and facility Bio-Medical shop
• Work is evaluated on a spot-check basis for achievement of objectives
• Performs other related duties as assigned/listed on functional statement
• NOTE: 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 be able to lift and transport bulky equipment and supplies - including large salt pellet bags
• Work Schedule: 6:00 am - 6:30 pm - 6:00 am - 4:30 pm - 6:00 am - 2:30pm - Monday - Saturday (Alternate hours/days based on patient care needs) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required