The Medical Instrumentation Technician (MIT) at this level operates and monitors dialysis systems for chronic renal patients; check patient condition and determine the proper treatment procedures, technique, and machine adjustments; understand medical treatment for patients with renal failure; administer prescribed treatment modalities and observe the patient for desired action or adverse reaction, and recognizes and react to signs and symptoms that signal the onset of complications of dialysis.

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; initiate and terminate treatment, 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. - Ability to calculate dialysis baths according to the Provider's orders per patient by mixing critical concentrates of calcium and potassium and verifies ordered machine settings for bicarbonate and sodium. - Ability to analyze deviations from the expected, determine whether the deviations are machine or patient related, and respond according to the findings. - Knowledge of the hemodialysis and water treatment equipment of Central RO and hemodialysis machines. - Ability to provide instruction for Providers, Nurses, and other personnel in dialysis procedures, equipment operation and maintenance, etc. - Working knowledge of the process of collection water and dialysate samples for microbiology, along with knowledge of process for abnormal findings. - If requested and after adequate training on the SOP and validated competency, collects water and dialysate samples for microbiology; receives, interprets, and records results; reports to and participates in remedy plan of abnormal findings with Lead MIT, Nurse Manager or Medical Director. Patient Care Related to Hemodialysis Treatments: - Initiates and terminates hemodialysis treatments following standard procedures. Monitors patients throughout treatment and makes necessary adjustments under the direction of the Nurse in response to the patient's medical condition. - Knowledge of physiological and psychological changes and conditions related to end stage renal disease. - Monitors and reports to the Nurse, pre- and post-treatment patient condition including but not limited to; weight gain or loss related to EDW, edema, vital signs, and dialysis access function. - Collects and records vital signs using blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, pulse oximeters, scales, and thermometers. - Records patient's condition and reports changes in the patient's condition or tolerance to the hemodialysis treatment (blood pressure, excess fluid, access function, etc.) to the Nurse, and assists with proper treatment procedure, technique, and machine adjustments in response. - Inspects and evaluates circulatory access site. Cleans and dresses site using aseptic techniques in accordance with the SOPs. - Performs vascular access surveillance procedures (e.g. Transonic) per SOP with validated competency. - Collects laboratory specimens directly from patient access or extracorporeal circuit per SOP. - Documents and records the results of dialysis treatment via EMR and reports abnormal findings to the Nurse. - Valid certification in BLS / Basic Life Support is desired. Supply Inventory - Monitors supply levels and stocks supplies in the supply room and patient care areas to ensure there are adequate supplies and equipment to meet patient care needs. - Transports, lifts, and stocks bulky supplies and linen as needed. Continues to accept in a conscientious manner a share of the responsibility for maintenance of safety, cleanliness, and orderliness of the dialysis unit. - Participates in additional project duties of the clinic such as meter calibrations, machine log audits, transonic completion audits, coordination of emergency disconnection patient education, coordination of mock fire drills, weekly eye wash station flushing, completion of generator check log, performing monthly alarm test, inventory monitoring. - Conserves resources effectively by using supplies and equipment in a responsible manner. - Uses dialysis unit technical sheets and logs appropriately. - Demonstrates professional behavior and works effectively with others in giving care to patients. - Works at the hospital-based dialysis clinic when requested and needed. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 6:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. 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 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). Preferred Experience: 1 year of previous Dialysis experience is preferred. I. SCOPE OF WORK Assignments involve performing hemodialysis procedures. II. QUALIFICATIONS - Knowledge of the hemodialysis process and equipment - Ability to provide instruction to dialysis patients in dialysis procedures - Ability to provide instruction for Providers, Nurses, and other personnel in dialysis procedures, equipment operation and troubleshooting, etc. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area.[Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals maybe credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.] Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled. Part-time Experience. Part time experience is credited according to its relationship to a full time workweek. For example, an individual employed 20 hours per week, or on a ½ time basis would receive one workweek credit for each two weeks of service. Fellowships. N/A Internships. N/A Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Education/Training. There is no educational substitute for this position at the GS-08 level Training. Completion of appropriate training such as in-service training programs, on the job training, training acquired while in the Armed Forces, government sponsored developmental training programs, and/or training under physicians certified in the functional area will be allowed on a month-for month basis through the GS-5 level. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. GS-08 Experience. You must possess 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 2. Ability to provide instruction to dialysis patients in home/self care 3. 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/or ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 MARCH 17, 2006 PART II APPENDIX G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: The work requires standing or walking for a major portion of the work day. The walking will often require carrying supplies or pushing carts and equipment. Standing will require holding patients or stocking supplies. This may occupy half of the work day and will hence be considered demanding physical activity. A certain mechanical dexterity is required in the replacement of parts and the repair of equipment to restore or maintain operability after faults are identified.

Education

There is no educational substitute for this position at the GS-08 level

Contacts

• Address Fayetteville NC VA Medical Center 2300 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 US
• Name: Kyndle Taylor
• Phone: 910-488-2120
• Email: [email protected]