The performance of dialysis is a highly complex and technical procedure, which requires much skill and knowledge. In addition, dialysis is a procedure, which is exacting in its requirements since any deviations from the procedure are potentially life threatening to the patient. For this reason, the technician must always be alert for such deviations during the procedure, and must be able to identify and correct them, on his own or with consultation with the supervisor/physician.

Duties

Major Duties: 1. Employee will be responsible for operating individual dialysate delivery systems: this includes cleaning and sterilizing them in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and established procedures of the unit. 2. Employee will be expected to ensure sterility to the components used in the set-up phase of the dialysis Procedures; artificial kidneys, blood lines, and priming solutions, and the connecting of those components. 3. Incumbent will be able to prepare, per physicians' orders, dialysis solutions which conform to those prescriptions 4. Employee will be able to mix cleaning and disinfecting solutions for cleaning the dialysis delivery systems in accordance with established unit guidelines. 5. Employee will be expected to operate and troubleshoot the Reverse Osmosis water purification system through observation, and operation of gauges and other monitors used in the operation of the system. 6. . Employee will also be able to insure optimal operations to the water system through scheduled changing of the filters within the system, culturing, and disinfecting. 7. Employee will be able to respond to emergencies concerning the dialysate delivery system, such as failures or malfunctions of electrical, mechanical, or water systems. 8. Employee will be able to use hospital computer system for documentation, work order, and to request supplies. 9. Employee will be responsible for stocking of sufficient supplies or efficient running of unit. 10. Employee will assist the nursing staff in special situations such as transferring patients, securing bleeding sites until bleeding stops, helping to apply bandages, obtaining ice, etc. Work Schedule: The Tour of duty is 0630am-1700pm ( 10 hour shifts 4 days per week) and work every other Saturday. The dialysis clinic is open for operation Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays 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 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. 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 grade requirements for information regarding educational substitutions. Licensure or 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. : Grade Determinations: GS-7 Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis): GS-07 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. GS-07 Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 1. Ability to assist the physician in more complex procedures such as central venous catheter insertion. 2. Ability to assist in training patients in home/self-care by teaching components of machine operation including water treatment and monitoring patients for compliance. 3. Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians. 4. Ability to analyze deviations from the expected, determine whether the deviations are machine or patient related, and respond according to the findings. Assignment. At this level in addition 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. At this level, the technician accepts responsibility and accountability for his/her own actions. Grade Determinations: GS-08 Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis): GS-08 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. GS-08 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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. GS-08 Assignment: 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. Preferred Experience: 12 months experience in dialysis References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 MARCH 17, 2006 PART II APPENDIX G27 II-G27-42; ???????Refer to VA Handbook 1042.01 for medical instrument technicians (hemodialysis) 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-08. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 1042.01 Duties require regular and recurring physical exertion. It involves walking, frequently bending, reaching, stretching to set up machine and take apart equipment. It also requires lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling heavy objects. The incumbent is exposed to chemicals and contaminated fluids in the dialysis unit. There is a high level of stress within the unit due to complexity of the patient's conditions.

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/.

Contacts

• Address Washington VA Medical Center 50 Irving Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20422 US
• Name: Alicia Wiggins
• Phone: 410-605-7000 X53781
• Email: [email protected]