The Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) is assigned to the Dialysis Unit, which is located in the Patient Care Service Line at the Birmingham VA Health Care System.

Duties

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) (Hemodialysis) is assigned to the Dialysis Unit, which is organizationally responsible to the Patient Care Service Line. The MIT is part of the dialysis team and provides support to the nursing staff throughout the dialysis treatment process, collaborates with other dialysis team members in facilitating the preparation needed for timely initiation of dialysis treatments under the general supervision of the dialysis Registered Nurses. The MIT actively participates in patient care activities within his/her scope of practice. Provides hemodialysis treatment to patients with chronic and acute renal failure within the Dialysis Unit Initiates and terminates dialysis treatments following standard operating procedures Monitors dialysis treatment parameters Assembles all necessary supplies and equipment at chair side Connects patient to the dialyzer and operates equipment to initiate extracorporeal circulation and performance of dialysis VA Offers a Total Reward Package https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Work Schedule: Rotating 10 hour shifts between 5:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Every other Saturday. Rotating holidays and off days. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PDF51551, PDF51552, PDF51553, PDF51334F, and PDF51333F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. NOTE: This applies to past, current, and upcoming VA Health Professions Trainees (HPT) only. VA HPT is an individual appointed to temporary positions in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements or admitted to the VA Health Professional Scholarship Program. HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC).

Requirements

Qualifications

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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Requirements: GS-4 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level GS-3 which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. OR, Education. Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic medical terminology. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. GS-5 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-04) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level; OR Education: Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. GS-6 Experience. At least one (1) year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level GS-05 which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in setting up, operating, and performing calibrations as required on a variety of dialysis equipment. Skill in performing and interpreting test results (dialysate chemistries, water treatment testing for contaminates, etc.) including the ability to analyze deviations from the expected norm and responding appropriately. Knowledge of American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AMMI) standards and unit policies as they relate to water treatment. Knowledge of physiological and psychological changes and conditions related to end stage renal disease. Ability to calculate dialysis baths according to the physician's orders per patient by mixing critical concentrates, i.e., calcium, potassium, and bicarbonate. Knowledge of Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS). GS-7 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level GS-6 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. Experience includes but is not limited to: operating and monitoring dialysis systems for chronic patients; checking patient condition and determining the proper treatment procedures, technique, and machine adjustments; understanding medical treatment for patients with renal failure; administering prescribed medication and observe the patient for desired action or adverse reaction; and recognizing and reacting to signs and symptoms that signal the onset of complications of dialysis including hypotension, disequilibrium, seizures, and arrhythmias. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. GS-8 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level GS-7 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. Experience includes but is not limited 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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: Initiating and terminating dialysis treatments following standard operating procedures (SOP). Experience with monitoring patients during the dialysis procedure and taking appropriate actions. Experience with operating and monitoring dialysis machinery in performance of dialysis procedures following SOP. Experience with obtaining blood specimens for routine or special test. Experience with connecting patient to the dialyzer (using venipunctures) and operating equipment to initiate extracorporeal circulation and performance of dialysis.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G2

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-04 to GS-08.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work requires, occasional moderate lifting, (15-44 pounds), occasional moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), straight pulling (1 hour), Pushing (1 hour), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, frequent patient positioning on exam table, moderate walking (4 hours), standing (4 hours), repeated bending (2 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, ability to distinguish basic colors. ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing aid (permitted), emotional stability, transferring patients and objects may be required Mechanical lifts are provided- The HT may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. The HT may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium.

Contacts

• Address Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]