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

Assigned Duties -Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques to provide training and supervision in these procedures. -Knowledge of the Joint Commission and other regulatory requirements. -Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. -Ability to assist with staff development and precepting/training. -Knowledge of more complex troubleshooting and maintenance of central RO and hemodialysis equipment. -Collects water and dialysate samples for microbiology; receives, interprets and records results; reports to and participates in remedy plan of abnormal findings with Chief MIT and Dialysis Medical Director. Equipment Operation, Repair, and Maintenance -Skill in setting up and operating a variety of dialysis equipment as required. -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 (AAMI) standards and unit policies as they relate to water treatment. -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. -Attends Dialysis Unit CQI meetings and submits monthly verbal and written reports on technical and water quality issues following American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) Standards. Monthly submission of a water quality report is submitted to the Supervisor, and to the Biomedical Engineering as needed. -Ensures that all equipment including 300 gallon holding tank for the distribution of acid to the patient stations and related equipment is safe and operational. This includes maintenance and troubleshooting of monitoring devices for conductivity, pH and other parameters. This also includes cleaning of the RO membranes, acid loop and disinfection procedures. -Coordinates with Chief MIT on communicating with vendors, such as those of Central RO and hemodialysis machines, etc. and hospital staff (Facility Management, Biomedical Engineering, Safety Department, Nursing Management, Warehouse, etc.) on an on-going basis to research information and resolve problems. 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. 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: 2-3 years of experience in Dialysis is preferred II. SCOPE OF WORK Assignments involve performing hemodialysis procedures. III. QUALIFICATIONS- Knowledge of the hemodialysis process and equipment- Ability to provide instruction to dialysis patients in dialysis procedures, equipment operation andmaintenance- Ability to provide instruction for Providers, Nurses, and other personnel in dialysis procedures, equipmentoperation and troubleshooting, etc. Grade Determinations:GS-09: In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level, positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments. a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques such as those provided for acutely ill patients and peritoneal dialysis in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures. *2. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. 3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. **4. Ability to manage and supervise employees. *5. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training. (c) Certification. Certification by one of the following organizations is highly desirable at this level: 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). Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and/or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level. References: See VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27 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

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