The Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) position is located in Nursing Service within VA San Diego Healthcare System. The Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) position provides treatments to patients with renal failure in chronic and acute setting, assists renal providers/clinicians with delivery of in-center, off-station, and self-care/home renal replacement therapy to patients with chronic irreversible kidney disorders.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Provides treatments to patients with renal failure in chronic and acute setting, assists renal providers/clinicians with delivery of in-center, off-station, and self-care/home renal replacement therapy to patients with chronic irreversible kidney disorders. Serves as a member of the dialysis team performing treatment on acutely ill patients. Independently initiate and terminate dialysis procedures without supervision. Acts appropriately based on established standards of care and uses experience and judgement in performing dialysis procedures in collaboration with nursing staff and renal interdisciplinary providers/clinicians. Supports RN with monitoring and evaluating patients' conditions. Determine proper treatment procedure, technique, and compatible instrument adjustments pre/intra/post dialysis. Participate in procedure preparation for percutaneous renal biopsies, patient monitoring, and proper processing of specimens. Assists RN with peritoneal dialysis (PD) case management, independently performs PD equipment and supplies inventory to assure availability of essential clinical resources and prevent utilization of expired PD solutions and supplies. Supports self­ care modalities by providing instruction on proper utilization of home dialysis machinery and equipment. Performs orientation and in-service training to renal fellows, novice nurses, and lower-grade technicians on dialysis techniques and related equipment systems, medical devices, and machinery. Knowledge of sterilization methods to clean and disinfect dialysis machinery, water purification equipment systems, solution delivery systems, and other associated medical devices, instruments, and reusable medical equipment per manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU) to control and prevent spread of infectious and contagious diseases. Ability to work as a member of a team when performing specialized procedures that require rapid and accurate observations or adjustments to established practices. Ability to perform special complicated examinations or treatments for which there are no standard instructions and procedures. Work Schedule: Variable 10-hour shifts. Compressed/Flexible:Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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: 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). 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 (BONENT), National Nephrology Certification Organization (NNCO), and the International Certification Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology (ICC) in conjunction with the United States Certification Commission (USCC). Grade Determinations: GS-07 Grade Determination: 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: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to assist the physician in more complex procedures such as central venous catheter insertion. Ability to assist in training patients in home/self-care by teaching components of machine operation including water treatment and monitoring patients for compliance. Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians. Ability to analyze deviations from the expected, determine whether the deviations are machine or patient related, and respond according to the findings. 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. GS-08 Grade Determination: 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: 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Minimum 5 years' current/active experience with knowledge of performing hemodialysis procedures that include machine set-up, initiation, monitoring, and termination of treatment and assisting dialysis nurses with direct patient care. Minimum 5 years' current/active experience with knowledge of common hemodialysis machine problems, troubleshooting, and repairs to such equipment. Minimum of 5 years current/active experience performing startup, operation, monitoring, troubleshooting, and shut down of centralized hemodialysis water purification systems, centralized solution delivery systems, and portable reverse osmosis equipment. Minimum of 1 years' experience with knowledge of the equipment, supplies, and procedures for peritoneal dialysis. Active State or National Certification as a clinically certified hemodialysis technician. Have current/active Basic Life Support Certification. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54, 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 range of GS-07 to GS-08. Physical Requirements: his 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. 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. Lifting and transportation of bulky supplies and equipment is required. Must be able to lift and transport large bags. Functional requirements for this position include lifting up-to 35 pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently. Moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8-12 hours, intermittently. Lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy (PCS-026) except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care. Pulling for 8-12 hours, intermittently. Pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently; Reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently; Both hands required; Walking 8-12 hours, intermittently; Standing 8-12 hours, intermittently; Kneeling 8-12 hours, intermittently; Repeated bending for 8-12 hours intermittently; Climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently; Both legs required. Near vision correctable at 13-16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Specific hearing requirements; Other: Twisting, simple grasp and fine manipulation Environmental factors for the positions include: Working closely with others; Protracted or irregular hours of work Incumbents who do not meet a specific functional requirement will be asked to complete the reasonable accommodations process to determine if the specific functional requirement they are unable to perform is an essential element of the position. Environmental factors for this position include working closely with others and protracted or irregular hours of work.

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 San Diego VA Medical Center 3350 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego, CA 92161 US
• Name: Charise Young
• Phone: 404-398-8281
• Email: [email protected]