The Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) position is located in the Renal Hemodialysis Service at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center. 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.

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: 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. Perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: TBD - To be discussed during interview Compressed/Flexible:Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement: 37682F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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

Contacts

• Address Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center - Albany 113 Holland Ave Albany, NY 12208 US
• Name: Brandy Smith
• Phone: 716-834-9200
• Email: [email protected]